Russia is preparing to launch its lunar lander missions, Luna 25, Luna 26, and Luna 27 starting in 2021.
In May 2020 China beta tested a new generation spacecraft for travel in deep space. They also created innovative super-heavy-lift launchers for use in space infrastructure and crewed missions. And plans for a Chinese space station are anticipated to begin construction in 2020.
The agreement has been negotiated for some time. SpaceNews reported in February that “This MoU fits the larger trend, which is Russia moving into a closer orbit with China,” said Bleddyn Bowen, a lecturer in international relations.
Bowen sees Russia moving away from the US and the International Space Station, in order to work closely with China. It’s a geopolitical shift since US-Russia relations have gotten worse and China and Russia have shared interests.
