BEIJING, Nov 2 — China will continue to share its expertise in the space and science technology field with ASEAN countries, setting a new course of greater cooperation between both sides, said Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao.
He said while China continues to strengthen innovation in the field, it will also assist in the development of ASEAN countries’ space industry, for greater benefits and contributions to “mankind’s peaceful use of space”.
“In recent years, space has become a new field, a new course for our cooperation. We have carried out close exchanges and cooperation in space technology applications, communication satellites, and space surveying and mapping, and have achieved excellent results,” he said.
Wu said this in a recorded speech at Tiangong Dialogue: ASEAN Students’ Talk with Taikonouts (Chinese astronauts) at Beijing Royal School here.
The event was co-organised by China Manned Space Engineering Office, Chinese Embassies in the ASEAN Member States (AMS), AMS Embassies in China, and the Beijing Royal School.
Four astronauts, Chen Dong, Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe from Tiangong space station, and Liu Boming in Beijing Royal School shared their experience in space with students from ASEAN countries and China in an event streamed live from Beijing Royal School here, where the main event was held.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of the ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) Shi Zhongjun said that ACC will keep playing its role as a bridge to promote closer cooperation in the manned space sector and actively engage two sides in related international cooperation and exchanges a wider scope.
“ASEAN and China share a common dream of space exploration, and we are both confident that humanity will continue to benefit from the endeavour of exploration and peaceful use of space,” he said.
Shi said ASEAN and China, attach great importance to cooperation in space, for example, satellite and remote sensing technology are used to provide disaster prevention and mitigation services in the region.
Xinhua reported China on Monday launched the space lab module Mengtian, taking the construction of the country’s space station Tiangong into the final stage. The building of Tiangong into a national space laboratory with three modules marks a milestone in China’s three-decade effort to advance its manned space program.
