China's lunar samples, collected from both the near and far side of the moon, were exhibited together for the first time at the United Nations (UN) on Wednesday.

During the 68th session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), China hosted an exhibition at the UN Office in Vienna showcasing 20 years of its lunar exploration, including samples brought back by the Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 missions.

More than 200 people, including UN officials, envoys from various countries, and industry experts, attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

China's Chang'e-6 mission collected 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side of the moon in 2024, the first time in human history. The Chang'e-5 probe, which returned to Earth on Dec. 17, 2020, retrieved 1,731 grams of samples from the near side of the moon.