(Yicai Global) March 10 -- China and Russia will jointly build a space station on the moon to explore the natural satellite.

Zhang Kejian, head of the China National Space Administration, and Dmitry Olegovich Rogozin, general director of Russia’s Roscosmos State Corp. for Space Activities, have penned a virtual memorandum of understanding regarding the project, China Central Television reported yesterday.

Before this, the two countries have agreed to cooperate on China's Chang'e 7 and Russia's Luna-27 missions, as well as intended to create a joint data center.

The International Lunar Research Station will focus on multi-disciplinary and multi-objective scientific research activities such as exploration, utilization, observation, basic scientific experiment, and technical verification.

China and Russia will jointly develop a road map to build the ILRS and work closely on design, development, and operations. The two countries will promote extensive cooperation with all nations and international partners to advance peaceful exploration and use of space for all mankind, the report added.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi