Nasa has warned that China may attempt to take over parts of the Moon within just a few years. The space agency’s administrator Bill Nelson said he fears the country’s civilian programmes launched in the name of science could actually be secret military operations.

China is hiding “very secretive” military activity in space, Nasa chief Bill Nelson has claimed. Nelson, 81, alleged Beijing could take control of the moon during an appearance at the House Committee of Appropriations on Wednesday.

Bill Nelson told Capitol Hill lawmakers that China has been ‘very, very secretive’ about its space progress, warning ‘we are in a race’

NASA warned China is using its civilian exploration program as a cover for its military programs claiming territory on the moon. The US now is in a race to put Americans on the moon.

China is bolstering its space capabilities and is using its civilian program to mask its military objectives, the head of the US space agency NASA said Wednesday, warning that Washington must remain vigilant.