Government and Policy

China abides by all outer space treaties

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-08 09:03

UNITED NATIONS - China committed itself to stick to all basic principles provided in outer space treaties, conduct all explorations and use of outer space for the benefits of the whole mankind, said a Chinese envoy to the United Nations here on Thursday.

Li Baodong, the Chinese permanent representative to the UN made the remarks at a plenary meeting of the General Assembly 65th session, in which a resolution was adopted to designate April 12 as the International Day of Human Space Flight.

On April 12, 1961, astronaut Yuri Gagarin from the former Soviet Union made the first space flight on Vostok 1 opening the new chapter in human's exploration of the outer space.

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Li told the meeting that over the past 50 years, with the efforts of the space scientists of all countries, great progress has been made in manned space cause. "So far nearly 40 countries sent astronauts into the outer space. We are very happy to see that China is making its contribution to the development," he said.

Since the year of 1999, the Chinese manned space project has successfully completed seven flights, sent six astronauts at three times into the outer space and executed spacewalk, Li said, adding that this year China would conduct the first rendezvous and docking flight and has begun building the space station.

"With utmost confidence and courage, China would explore the unknown and further promote manned space program so as to make contributions to human space flight cause," Li said.

China reiterated that it will always stick to all basic principles provided by conventions on outer space, conduct all explorations and use of outer space for the benefit of the mankind, and enhance international cooperation in exploring and making use of outer space making the progress of space science and technology benefit all countries, particularly the developing countries.

"We hope that the international community would make joint efforts to build a harmonious outer space conducive to peace, development, cooperation and rule of law," Li said.

China appreciated the leading role of Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) in promoting the peaceful use of the outer space, improving outer space legislation and deepening the international cooperation, the ambassador said.