The American space agency NASA has barred Chinese nationals, who have valid US visas, from its facilities and networks, media reports said.

Chinese nationals, who until now could work at NASA as contractors or contribute to its research, were informed on Sept. 5 that their access to the agency’s systems and facilities had been revoked, reported The Epoch Times.

NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens confirmed the decision, stating that the agency had taken “internal action pertaining to Chinese nationals—including restricting physical and cybersecurity access to our facilities, materials, and network to ensure the security of our work," the newspaper reported.

The move has been taken amid a heightened number of cases where Chinese nationals were allegedly found spying for Beijing.

According to reports, Chinese astronauts have already been excluded from visiting the International Space Station (ISS) since the US has barred NASA from sharing data with China.

Chinese doctor accused of trying to smuggle cancer research from US to China

Last month, a Chinese medical researcher was charged with theft of Trade Secrets related to  US-funded cancer research and attempting to take it to China, officials said.

The suspect has been identified as 35-year-old Yunhai Li.

According to reports, he was confronted at an airport by officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on July 9 when he was attempting to travel to China.

Speaking on the incident, Harris County District Attorney’s Office wrote on X: "Former MD Anderson cancer researcher Yunhai Li charged with Theft of Trade Secrets (third degree felony) and Tampering with a Government Record (class A misdemeanor). "

The X post further said: "Theft of Trade Secrets carries a penalty of two to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000. Tampering with a Government Record is punishable with up to a year in jail and a $4,000."

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare told Fox26 Houston: "We were able to detain him as he was trying to get on a flight to China."

The official further said: "That intellectual property stays with us, so we can save lives."