China and Russia have announced plans to build a lunar space station.

Russian Space Agency Roscosmos says it has signed an agreement with China's National Space Administration to develop research facilities on the surface of the moon, in orbit or both.

A statement from both countries' space agencies says it will be available for use by other nations.

It said that the International Scientific Lunar Station will carry out a wide range of scientific research including exploration and utilization of the moon.

It added that both Russia and China will collaborate in the planning, design, development and operation of the research station.

This will be the largest international space cooperation project for China, so it's significant.