China calls for inclusive development of outer space

VIENNA - China advocates peaceful use of outer space and will strive for inclusive development of outer space, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday.

The notion of achieving the inclusive development of outer space proposed by the Chinese government contained three aspects, said Cheng Jingye, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Vienna.

They include tolerance for space environment, tolerance for all countries and tolerance for the entire mankind, he said.

He made the remarks on the first day of the 55th session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) held from June 6 to 15 at the United Nations Office in Vienna.

China believes that the promotion of the inclusive development of outer space is needed to deal with larger challenges worldwide, Cheng said, adding that it would bring benefits to all countries and the entire mankind, particularly for those countries not yet having the space capability.

In addition, the inclusive development of outer space is a kind of sustainable common development which enables the fair use and share of outer space for both people of the present age and later generations, he said.

He pointed out that the long-term sustainability of outer space activities is one of the key problems in outer space development, which would not be solved without the inclusive development.

All parties should pay great attention to international cooperation and exchanges in the field to promote common development and to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results, Cheng said.

China sticks to the notion of inclusive development and takes a responsible attitude toward outer space activities and it is willing to make contribution through practical actions to the long-term sustainable development of outer space activities, he added.

The ambassador also said that China would launch its manned Shenzhou-9 spacecraft later this year and conduct a space rendezvous and docking mission with the orbiting Tiangong-1 space lab module.

China is willing to cooperate with other countries and to provide the opportunities for more countries, particularly the developing countries, to participate in the construction of the Chinese space station and scientific research, in order to share opportunities and achievements in the development of China's space program, he added.

China will continue to uphold the notion of harmonious development of outer space and work with the international community, represented by COPUOS, to realize the inclusive development of research and use of outer space and to achieve peace, development, cooperation and rule of law in outer space, Cheng said.