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Why is China targeting asteroids?

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2025

By Wu Weiren
The solar system is home not only to the eight major planets but also to an immense number of
smaller celestial bodies – asteroids and comets – varying in size, shape, and orbital characteristics.
Among them, asteroids are defined as solar-orbiting objects smaller than planets and dwarf
planets, typically inactive in releasing gas or dust. These bodies, numbering in the billions, are
often referred to as “living fossils” of the solar system’s formation and evolution. Asteroids with a
perihelion distance of less than 1.3 astronomical units (AU) are categorized as near-Earth asteroids
(NEAs).
NEAs represent one of the most significant potential threats to Earth. The United Nations has
ranked asteroid impacts among the top 20 existential threats to humanity. The prevailing scientific
consensus holds that an asteroid approximately 10 kilometers in diameter was responsible for the
mass extinction event 66 million years ago, which eradicated roughly 75 percent of Earth’s
species, including the dinosaurs. More recent examples include the 1908 Tunguska event, which
flattened over 2,000 square kilometers of Siberian forest, and the 2013 Chelyabinsk incident, in
which a meteor explosion injured approximately 1,500 people and damaged some 3,000 buildings.
While the likelihood of such catastrophic events remains low, their potential consequences are
profound. As of March 2025, 38,171 near-Earth objects had been identified, comprising 38,048
near-Earth asteroids and 123 near-Earth comets. However, due to the technical challenges of
detection, only about 1 percent of near-Earth asteroids are currently catalogued. Early in 2025,
asteroid 2024 YR4 briefly showed a 3.1 percent probability of Earth impact, triggering global
concern.
How should we respond to these “uninvited guests”?
At the third International Deep Space Exploration Conference, held recently in Hefei of Anhui
province, Chinese scientists presented their vision for asteroid exploration, planetary defense, and
resource utilization, while extending an open invitation for international cooperation.
The China National Space Administration has in recent years launched a series of feasibility
studies and preliminary programs focused on NEA detection and defense, including a formal
proposal to build a national a near-Earth object defense system. Chinese scientists have outlined a
comprehensive two-pronged strategy: first, the development of an integrated early warning system
that leverages both ground-based and space-based monitoring assets; and second, the
establishment of mitigation capabilities centered on kinetic impactors, supplemented by additional
technologies and supported by a mission response library to ensure that each credible threat can be
addressed with a pre-planned, executable solution.
China aims to conduct its first asteroid deflection demonstration mission around 2027. This kinetic
impact test has three primary objectives: to alter the trajectory of the target asteroid; to observe the
impact in detail, including velocity and energy transfer; and to monitor post-impact changes to
assess the operation’s success.
The mission involves targeting a small asteroid approximately 10 million kilometers from Earth,
aiming to change its velocity by 3 to 5 centimeters per second, sufficient to alter its trajectory. The
selected target poses no risk of Earth impact for at least the next century.
From the standpoint of planetary defense and the long-term survival of humanity, developing
asteroid mitigation capabilities is a global imperative. As a responsible major player in space,
China is committed to contributing its expertise and resources to the establishment of an
international asteroid detection and defense system.

Beyond defense, asteroid exploration and resource utilization also hold immense promise.
Asteroids contain significant reserves of iron, nickel, platinum-group metals, and water ice. They
are broadly classified into metallic, carbonaceous, and silicate types. The exploitation of asteroid
resources – long pursued by leading spacefaring nations – holds transformative economic potential.
According to authoritative estimates, over 700 of the roughly 1,000 asteroids studied in detail are
each valued at more than $100 trillion. Over the next 30 years, the projected economic value of
main-belt asteroid resources may exceed $700 quintillion.
This field is not only a strategic pillar of deep-space exploration but also a foundational
component of the emerging extraterrestrial resource economy. With ongoing advances in nuclear
space propulsion, quantum technologies, and embodied intelligence, the development of asteroid
resource is expected to become increasingly intelligent, cost-effective, and commercially viable.
In the future, a large-scale industrial chain centered on asteroid exploitation is likely to emerge,
becoming an integral part of the deep-space economy.
(Wu Weiren is the chief designer of China’s lunar exploration program, and the director and chief
scientist of the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory.)

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Alao-Akala’s Widow Urges Full Implementation Of LG Autonomy

Published

1 hour ago

October 7, 2026

Our Reporter

Drums support for Tinubu, APC candidates

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Chairperson of the Akala Transformation Movement (ATM) and former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, has called for the full implementation of local government autonomy, saying it will bring governance closer to Nigerians and accelerate development at the grassroots.

Alao-Akala made the call during an ATM outreach held at Equilibrium Resorts, Ojongbodu, Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo State, where she also urged Nigerians, particularly women, to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu and participate actively in the democratic process.

She said the effective functioning of local governments was crucial because they remained the closest tier of government to the people.

“One important thing I am preaching now is local government autonomy. Obviously, we are going to have our local governments properly elected. They are going to be funded, and they are the closest to the people,” she said.

The former First Lady urged Nigerians to understand and assess the impact of government policies before making political decisions, stressing that the coming years should be devoted to consolidating ongoing reforms and ensuring that their benefits reach ordinary citizens.

She also called on women to remain actively involved in governance and continue supporting leaders through their votes and prayers.

According to her, voting remained a major responsibility of citizens because it determines the quality and direction of leadership at all levels.

Alao-Akala further urged ATM members and supporters to work for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and support its candidates in state and national elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She clarified that ATM was a movement and not a political party, adding that its activities were aimed at mobilising support for the APC and its candidates.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of ATM, Mr Demola Alao-Akala, said the movement would continue to preserve and promote the legacy of his late father, former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala.

He said the essence of the movement was not merely to remember the late governor but to sustain the values and principles he stood for, particularly people-oriented governance and the welfare of ordinary citizens.

“The concept of remembrance of our father is about making sure that his legacy survives. When he left, he left us a pattern, and we strongly believe that the legacy he left behind can be used to propagate his ideas and keep his memory alive,” he said.

The ATM DG said members of the movement were determined to build on the ideals of service and good governance associated with the late governor.

“We believe strongly that if we are alive, we are going to go back to our lives and continue in the spirit that he showed. We are moving forward, and I think we are supposed to continue,” he added.

Alao-Akala said the late governor’s political philosophy placed the welfare of the people at the centre of governance, noting that democracy should ultimately be judged by its positive impact on citizens.

He assured ATM members that the movement would remain committed to promoting the late governor’s ideals while mobilising support for programmes and candidates it believes can improve the lives of Nigerians.

“We are going forward,” he declared.

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Bank Cannot Freeze Customer’s Account Without Valid Court Order — Zarewa

Published

9 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Our Reporter

A legal practitioner, Mr M. D. Zarewa, has said that a bank cannot freeze or restrict a customer’s account without a valid court order.
Zarewa said it was prevalent in the society for law enforcement agencies to give directives to banks to freeze customers’ accounts whenever there was a pending case before them, adding that banks often complied with such directives.
He, however, said such practice was alien to Nigeria’s jurisprudence, stressing that banks were enjoined not to interfere with or restrict the activities of any customer’s account without a valid court order.
According to him, it is trite law and settled beyond argument that a bank cannot freeze a customer’s account without a valid court order.
He said the position was entrenched in the case of GTB Plc v. Olachi & Anor (2025) LPELR-81833(CA), where the Court of Appeal held that “whether frozen or restricted, neither can be done without the valid order of a Court of Law.”
Zarewa further cited GTBank v. Adedamola (2019) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1664) 30 at 43, Paras. E-F, where the court held:
“Before freezing customer’s account or placing any form of restraint on any account, the bank must be satisfied that there is an Order of Court.
“By the provisions of Section 34 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has no power to give direct instructions to banks to freeze the account of a customer without an Order of Court. So doing, constitutes a flagrant disregard and violation of the rights of a customer.”
The lawyer said any customer whose account had been frozen or restricted without a valid court order could institute a suit against the bank for grossly violating his or her rights.
He said such a customer could particularly seek redress for the violation of the right to own movable and immovable property and seek compensation from the court.
Furthermore, Zarewa said the law was trite that where there was a wrong, there was a remedy, as captured in the Latin maxim, Ubi jus ibi remedium.

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Gov AbdulRazaq Inaugurates 464-Unit Housing Estate In Kwara

Published

9 hours ago

October 7, 2026

Our Reporter

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

‌‌‌‍‍‍⁠⁠‍⁠⁠Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated the ‘AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire Housing Estate’ in Ijagbo, Oyun Local Government Area of the State.

Speaking at the groundbreaking of the housing estates, which included 210 units of two-bedroom terrace apartments, 200 units of three-bedroom units and 54 units of four-bedroom terrace duplexes, the
Governor, noted that housing should not be seen or regarded as a luxury, but rather as a fundamental human requirement and cornerstone of dignity, security, and family stability, lamenting the daunting challenge of addressing housing deficits across the country.

He said: “Dear Kwarans, housing is not a luxury. Basic housing is a
fundamental human need and a cornerstone of dignity, security,
and family stability. Yet, across Nigeria and indeed in Kwara State,
the challenge of addressing housing deficit is daunting.

“This administration believes that inadequacy of proper shelter
for Nigerians is not merely a problem of not building enough
houses. Indeed, several studies have attributed the housing deficit in Nigeria to a complex mix of causes, key among them being high costs and rising costs of building materials, weak finance, difficult land systems, infrastructure gaps, institutional limitations, among others.

“On behalf of the people of Kwara, I thank the management of ISHI
Homes Limited for this partnership and for choosing Kwara State
as the location for this important development.”

Represented by the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr Segun Ogunsola, the Governor applauded the developer for recognising his administration’s contributions to mass housing development in the State.

“The administration has consistently placed housing development high on its agenda. The government recognises access to decent and affordable housing as essential to the wellbeing of the people.

“The State Government has also been in active collaboration with
institutional partners including the Federal Ministry of Housing
with a view to increasing housing stock in the State.

“Recently, we acquired a housing estate with over 130 flats at
Ogbondoroko in Asa LGA of the State. Government has approved
that the estate be onboarded onto the administration’s social
support scheme,” he disclosed.

AbdulRazaq said the commitment was reflected in the development of the Kwara Smart City and other mass housing initiatives across the State.

The Governor disclosed that his reforms in land administration have reduced the processing time for Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) from 180 days to 35 days.

AbdulRazaq said the improved turnaround time demonstrated the administration’s commitment to making land administration more transparent, efficient and investor-friendly.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ISHI Homes, Dr Olayinka Ilufoye, said the project was intended to democratise home ownership and make decent and affordable housing accessible to the people of Kwara South senatorial district.

Ilufoye said the estate was meant for civil servants, traders and other Nigerians who can access it through the National Housing Fund (NHF).

“The name AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq Morire, which translates to ‘I have seen goodness’, is a deliberate expression of our faith, hope and expectation.

“We believe this estate will become a testimony of prosperity, progress and abundance in Kwara South,” he said.

Ilufoye pledged that the company would remain committed to transparency, accountability, quality construction and timely delivery.

The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Geographic Information Service (KWGIS), Alhaji Sulyman Abdulkareem said the state government has consistently placed housing development high on its development agenda.

He commended the state government for ensuring access to land, facilitating the prompt issuance of titles and certificate of occupancy.

Abdulkareem pointed out that by providing timely approval for mortgage transactions, the Governor is creating the conditions necessary for housing development to thrive in Kwara State.