China became the third nation to make the discovery of a new lunar mineral after Chinese scientists discovered Changesite-(Y), the lunar material containing helium-3, which is seen to be a potential source of energy.

The Chang'e-5 lunar expedition discovered the diamond-shaped mineral in samples sent back from the moon in 2020, which was named Changesite- (Y), making it the sixth lunar mineral discovered by humans. 

Following the discovery, China aims to send three unmanned missions (Chang’e-6, -7, and -8) to the moon over the next 10 years. China also plans to build a research facility on the moon and completed the fourth phase of Beijing's lunar exploration program's feasibility studies in 2021. A memorandum of agreement for the construction of the research station was signed by China and Russia last year.