[Int]

By the time this happens, China would already have a space station in orbit for many years. Who knows what the international political situation will look like then? Perhaps there will be a united grab for the moon's resources by everyone including NASA, the European Space Agency and that of the Japanese. The question is; how will La Luna be divided up? Might makes right? Equal division? Do countries without a space programme deserve any of the minerals? And will the Greenies (little greenie men? :-) be able to muster enough opposition to the whole plan?

[Maitre_Z]

Hey, we got first dibs on Mars.

[RightWhale]

The critical item is water. At this time water is still considered unavailable on the moon, but there are signs that water ice might be present near the moon's south pole, in the permanent shadow from direct sunlight.

If the Chinese set up at that point, and it is the only place with water, they will essentially own the moon.