The new ‘space race’: what are China’s ambitions and why is the US so concerned?

As China launches its Chang'e-6 mission to the far side of the moon, US officials have expressed alarm at the pace of its advancements

• China to launch ambitious moon mission

The worsening rivalry between the world's two most powerful countries that has in recent years spread across the world, has now extended beyond the terrestrial, into the realms of the celestial.

As China has become deeply enmeshed in strategic competition with the US - while edging towards outright hostilities with other regional neighbours - Washington's alarm at the pace of its advancement in space is growing ever-louder.