China-US Space Relations See Small but Important Step

Marco Caceres, a space analyst with the Teal Group, called the CSM change a "win-win" for both sides.

"Every time you cooperate, every time you fulfill or submit a request, that is how you build relationships," Caceres said. "Particularly if the US is coming to see China as their next military rival in space, and they are doing an awful lot and spending a lot more money on both military and non-military space, potentially [this new agreement] could be significant because it strengthens the relationship."