Jin Zhuanglong, deputy director of the Commission of Science,
Technology and Industry for National Defense said in Beijing Monday
that China will strengthen cooperation in the international space
community with the aim of achieving the peaceful development of
space.
China would also seek to expand its share of the international
market for satellite launches and other space services, said
Jin.
Speaking at an international conference on the space industry
Jin said China had already signed 16 agreements with 13 governments
and organizations and established space industry cooperation with
more than 40 countries and international bodies.
Specifically, he said, China would further cooperation with
Russia, the Ukraine and other European countries as well as the
likes of Argentina, Chile and Peru in South
America.
In Asia work would be undertaken towards the establishment of
the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization which would be
based in Beijing. China, Pakistan, Peru and six other countries had
signed a treaty on the organization's establishment last year and
it would take effect upon ratification by five members. China's
legislature ratified the treaty in June.
China would also seek to engage in "substantive" cooperation
with space organizations in the United States and Canada, Jin
said.
Over the next five years China will work with Pakistan on the
development and launch of three resource prospecting satellites.
Contracts already signed will see China manufacture and launch
telecommunications satellites for Nigeria and Venezuela.
(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2006)