China’s Mars mission leaves US for space dust with Nasa at least 4 years behind

China's planned "grab and go" architecture "does not give you the comprehensive look for the science community," Nelson said today.
"Will people say that there's a race?" he added. "Well, of course, people will say that. But it's two totally different missions."

Doesn’t count unless you get samples from multiple locations apparently.

"win" the space race again

My guess is near earth space militarism even if it's mostly pretend and they claim they put up "weapons ready" satellites or something. Maybe they'll even claim their "space laser weapons" using next gen technology is almost ready.

They'll win the space race this time by being the first nation to checks notes place neurotoxic bio weapons in orbit

They'll probably just bomb China's space agency