Construction of a space science park started in Shanghai on Sunday with the signing of a strategic cooperation framework agreement between the municipal government and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co.

The science park, with a total investment of 5.5 billion yuan (US$679 million), will be built as a base for research and development, industrial production and popularization of space knowledge, said an official with the municipal government.

"In an effort to promote innovation, Shanghai will strive to build an independent system for the research, testing and manufacturing of aerospace products." said Han Zheng, mayor of Shanghai.

"China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co. will step up the application of aerospace technology in civil projects." said Zhang Qingwei, general manager of the corporation.

Shanghai, one of the strategic industrial base of China, would become a space and civil industrial base and a platform for international cooperation in this field, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2006)