China's space program started late and is only now passing milestones the U.S. and Russia clocked years ago.
But, with the backing of the highest echelons of the Chinese Communist Party, it's going into space at a time when other world powers have scaled back on space exploration because of budget restraints or shifting priorities.
U.S. space technology is still "hands down the best in the world," says Joan Johnson-Freese, a professor at the U.S. Naval War College, but she says the U.S. lacks the political will to fund an ambitious manned spaceflight program, China's is the pride of the nation.
"It would cost the US $140 billion for a true moon and Mars exploration mission but sticker shock would kill it instantly," she says.
"In terms of perception, America has already ceded its leadership in exploration to China."
Inside Space City, Commander Nie -- who leads the manned space mission -- is more diplomatic.
"The United States and Russia started their programs early. They are the pioneers," he says.
"Our space development is not because of some space competition or trying to overtake anyone."
But the modern race to the stars is not just about money, it's driven by technological advances and cooperation.
The International Space Station (ISS) houses a veritable United Nations in space with 15 countries contributing including the U.S., Russia and Japan.
But not China.
China's 21 astronauts are locked out of the ISS, largely because of pressure from U.S. legislators.
In 2011, Congress banned NASA from working bilaterally with anyone from the Chinese space program on national security concerns.
But a recent exhaustive report for the
U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission says China's improving space capability "has negative sum consequences for U.S. military security."
"China is viewed as a foe, it is viewed as a government that seeks to take our intellectual property, national secrets and treasure and thus Congress is not willing to partner with them," says CNN space and aviation analyst Miles O'Brien.
"I think it is ultimately a mistake."
The Chinese government says its space program is peaceful and already cooperates with other nations.
The crew of the Shenzhou-10 seem keen to work with NASA.
"As an astronaut, I have a very strong desire to fly space missions with astronauts from other countries. And I look forward to the opportunity go to the International Space Station," says Nie.
He says foreign astronauts are welcome to visit China's own space station once it is launched.
The Chinese expect to finish their space station by 2022 -- around the time the International Space Station runs out of funding, potentially leaving China as the only country with a permanent presence in space.
"They are on a slow steady campaign. I think in the end, tortoise versus hare style, they will probably win," says O'Brien.
