Lo spazio extra-atmosferico nell’immaginario della Cina di oggi: tra messaggi ecumenici e proiezione del potere nazionale

The present paper aims to analyze the allegorical meanings attributed to outer space in contemporary China. Specifically, it highlights the main differences from the Western perspective, emphasizing how China’s unique historical and political trajectory has shaped its vision of the cosmos. The analysis focuses on the central dichotomy that characterizes the representation of outer space in the PRC: on one hand, as a laboratory for building a “community with a shared future for mankind”; on the other, as a geopolitical arena projecting national power. By examining the narrative of the Party-State, intellectual discourse, and unofficial cultural practices, this study illustrates how this dual perspective reinforces China’s political message regarding space exploration.