At the start of this month China launched its first lunar probe. This was the latest step of an arduous journey, with the final goal of sending a manned mission to the moon.

Many countries have praised Chinese efforts in space exploration, but some observers have been left with the puzzling question of why the Chinese government feels the need to pursue a space program now.

Are these efforts purely related to scientific research, or is China actually trying to com-pete with the world's leading space powers?

The true answer lies somewhere in the middle.

China is one of only three countries to have sent manned flights into space, and in doing so they have confirmed their status as a world leader in innovation and technological capability.

Yet, amid these great achievements, some observers have misread China's efforts at pursuing a space program as an challenge to the US.

When China destroyed one of its own weather satellites with a ballistic missile in 2007, many felt that this was a flexing of military muscle.

However, the 2008 space walk and the launching of the Chang'e-2 probes should not be interpreted along the same lines.

China is not attempting to trigger a 21st century space race between itself and the US.

If there is a space race, it's an Asian one.