A potential leadership transition is underway at China's National Space Administration (CNSA). Zhang Kejian, who has led the agency since May 2018, is expected to step down after being removed from his position as Party Secretary of the State Administration for National Defense Science, Technology, and Industry (SASTIND) on December 26th. The announcement named Shan Zhongde as his replacement.
The head of SASTIND typically also leads CNSA and the China Atomic Energy Authority. While CNSA hasn't officially announced the change, the expectation is that Shan Zhongde will assume the role. Shan Zhongde was recently promoted to vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the parent agency of SASTIND. Zhang Kejian also holds the position of MIIT vice minister.
Shan Zhongde's background includes serving as president of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, an institution previously sanctioned for ties to China’s military-industrial complex. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering and has experience at the China Academy of Machinery Science and Technology.
The CNSA administrator is crucial for implementing China's space policy, aligning it with national goals, and fostering international collaborations, such as partnerships for the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). The role involves coordinating with key space groups like the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO).
Under Zhang Kejian's leadership, China achieved significant milestones: the first landing on the far side of the moon, lunar sample collection, a Mars rover landing, the construction of the Tiangong space station, completion of the Beidou navigation system, and the initiation of a crewed lunar landing program targeting 2030. Time magazine even named him among the 100 most influential people of 2019.
With Shan Zhongde's anticipated ascension, the focus shifts to the ongoing crewed lunar program and efforts to attract international participation in the ILRS. The reason for Zhang Kejian's removal remains unclear. Such changes can be routine, due to reassignment, promotion, retirement, or potentially indicate underlying issues.
Past CNSA heads have often been promoted to leadership roles in Chinese provinces or autonomous regions. However, recent events, including the removal of senior officials at CASC amid corruption allegations within the People's Liberation Army, add a layer of complexity to the situation. Zhang Kejian's tenure was among the longest since CNSA's founding in 1993.