Pakistan, April 29 -- China first observed its Space Day on April 24, 2016, to commemorate the anniversary of the country's first-ever satellite launch, Dongfanghong-1, back in 1970. This year, festivities kicked off in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, under the theme: Voyaging into space, pursuing dreams. This was particularly apt given that the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and its Russian counterpart used the occasion to announce collaboration on establishing the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This has been welcomed by both scientists and space enthusiasts around the world, not least because the project is open to international cooperation.

There is much for Beijing to celebrate, including the upcom...