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

Bloomberg News:

I'd like to ask if you could elaborate on the specific areas that the private sector will be encouraged to take part in. And my second question is: Will the government tap capital markets in order to fund these space programs? Thank you.

Wu Yanhua:

Since the beginning of this year, commercial aerospace has been unprecedentedly fueled as a new momentum for the development of world's space programs. The Chinese government has always advocated that space industry should be part of the national economy and contribute to undertakings concerning scientific advancement, economic progresses, social well-being and growths of comprehensive national strength.

First of all, let's start with the pertinent policies. In 2014, the State Council officially issued a circular to encourage diverse sources to fund the launches and applications of satellites.

Second, the Chinese government recently issued a negative list containing a few prohibited items to stipulate the rules for foreign investors to enter the Chinese market. There are very few items concerning the aerospace industry on the list. The national and international capital sources are encouraged to cover a variety of aerospace programs, such as the research, design and production of satellites and other supporting products.

Third, the white paper has elaborated on the policies related to commercial aerospace developments, showing the country's supportive views of the diverse capital sources, such as the private sector or the overseas investment. There are at least three enterprises with multiple stakeholders dedicated to the research and development of rockets for commercial use. Meanwhile, we also encourage the design and exploration of satellites as well as the development of key materials and single components. We'll make full use of cutting-edge space technologies and intellectual property rights, transforming them into products or programs conducive to people's wellbeing. We are still deliberating on the feasibility of opening the sectors such as commercial launches, testing and monitoring.

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