Beijing seeks greater cooperation in space

China is seeking to deepen international cooperation and communication in the outer-space industry, a senior official said at the 64th International Astronautical Congress on Monday.

"We will focus on commercial cooperation in the space industry and training of satellite control personnel for foreign countries in the coming years," said Ma Xingrui, head of the China National Space Administration.

A man tries on the space suit of China's astronauts during an exhibition of the 64th International Astronautical Congress in Beijing on Monday. Wang Jingsheng / For China Daily

He said China will pursue the peaceful use and exploration of space.

The country's first space station, now under construction, will be open to foreign scientists and astronauts.

Ma received the 2013 Allan D. Emil Award on Monday for his contributions to the remarkable progress of China's space industry. He is the second Chinese to win the honor, after Liu Jiyuan, former chairman of the Chinese Society of Astronautics, won the award in 2003.

China has already established cooperation deals with 26 countries and regions in the space industry.

As part of the country's effort to enhance international cooperation in space, China Great Wall Industry Corp, the country's only authorized commercial provider of international launch services and satellite in-orbit delivery, plans to sign six to nine satellite construction deals in the next three years, said company President Yin Liming.

Yin also said that eight to 10 international launch services will be operated during the same period. He said that the communication and exhibitions during the congress would strengthen the confidence of international clients in Chinese satellites and launching services.

"It will bring more commercial opportunities for us," Yin said.

China Great Wall Industry Corp, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, has launched 43 satellites and 37 launch services for international clients, from 18 countries and regions, as of September.

"We will further explore the potential market for satellite application and seek more international business opportunities," Yin said.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp is using the event to showcase its achievements such as the Long March family of rockets and its meteorological satellites to attract international business.

China hopes to have a 10 percent share of the global satellite market and 15 percent of the international commercial launch market by 2015, China Great Wall said.

It currently has a market share of about 3 percent, with its main clients from Asia, Latin America and Africa.

The country has been providing launch services to international clients since 1990, when a communications satellite was sent into space on a Long March 3 booster.

About 3,600 representatives from around the world are taking part in the congress, according to the organizing committee of the 64th International Astronautical Congress, a five-day event that opened on Monday.

The congress is held every year by the International Astronautical Federation and one of its national societies, and attended by agency heads and senior executives of the world's space agencies. China previously hosted the congress in 1996.

The theme of this year's conference is "prompting space development for the benefit of mankind".