SCIO briefing on white paper on China's space activities

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Speakers:
Wu Yanhua, vice head of China National Space Administration
Li Guoping, director of Department of System and Engineering, China National Space Administration

Chairperson:
Xi Yanchun, vice director-general of the Press Bureau, State Council Information Office

Date:
Dec. 27, 2016

CCTV:

May I ask Mr. Wu Yanhua, compared with the last one, what features and highlights does this white paper have? Thank you.

Wu Yanhua:

Compared with the previous three white papers, the new one has changes and continuations. The continuations were reflected by: first, this white paper reiterates the missions for China to develop aerospace industry; second, the frame and structure of the text of the white paper remain the same with the previous three; third, the aerospace policies and international cooperation policies also keep a certain continuity.

The changes and highlights include:

First, we propose the goal of becoming a strong aerospace power for the first time. This year the Chinese government approved the establishment of April 24 as China's Aerospace Day. President Xi Jinping gave significant instructions and pointed the way clearly for the future development of China's aerospace industry. This fourth white paper came up with the vision of being strong aerospace power and depicted the vision in ten aspects regarding science and technology innovation abilities, scientific exploration, and science talents and teams.

Second, it tells the key missions for the next five years and a certain period of time in the future for aerospace development. Regarding major projects, the paper stated that China will continue implementing four existing significant programs, including manned space flight, moon expeditions, Beidou navigation system and high resolution earth observation systems. In addition, there will be new and influential projects to be launched in order to lead the development of China's aerospace causes. This white paper also indicates the transformation and upgrading in the aerospace domain. In the past, space technologies were used to drive the science research and promotion of utilization; in the new era, the space science and space application will exploit their full potentials to lead and promote innovative development in space technologies.

Third, the white paper further perfects the relevant policies and approaches. Regarding weakness and disadvantages, the paper proposes implementing the project to strengthen infrastructure and improve the basic capabilities of the aerospace technologies industry. It also proposes rapidly pushing forward the construction of a legal system and rules of aerospace area, which will make Chinese aerospace develop orderly and in a standardized way while following international space rules and performing international obligations.

Fourth, it identifies the key areas and key projects of international cooperation in the new era. In the aspect of key areas, first, China will support various activities to peacefully exploit outerspace within the United Nation's framework, and it will engage in several relevant activities; second, China has joined a dozen of intergovernmental and inter-non-governmental multilateral international organizations and initiated an Asia-Pacific space cooperation organization while working extensively with the European Space Agency; third, we will deepen bilateral cooperation. Regarding key projects, first we will start comprehensive cooperation with international organizations, enterprises and scientific research institutions in the areas of space science, space technologies and space applications; second, we will attach importance to building a "Belt and Road" space information corridor, pushing forward cooperation in remote sensing satellite constellation in certain relevant areas and perfecting the construction of space information corridor, especially for the implementation of the principles of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits with relevant countries; third, in the aspects of technology innovation, talent training and laws and regulations, China will vigorously push forward cooperation in relevant products, technical services and relevant standards, and will support China's enterprises and institutions to go international.

Thank you.

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