By LI Linxu

China calls on all countries to work together to build a global community with a shared future and carry out in-depth exchanges and cooperation in outer space on the basis of equality, mutual benefit, peaceful utilization, and inclusive development, according to a new white paper published on January 28.

The white paper, titled China's Space Program: A 2021 Perspective, details the country's mission, vision and principles of its space program, as well as its recent achievements and future plans.

For the first time, the white paper on China's space program puts forward the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind in outer space, Xu Hongliang, a spokesperson for the China National Space Administration (CNSA), said at a press conference following the release of the document. Xu added that the country will be more open and active in carrying out extensive international exchanges and cooperation.

China has achieved fruitful results in the area of international exchanges and cooperation. Since 2016, the country has signed 46 space cooperation agreements or memoranda of understanding with 19 countries and regions and four international organizations.

Meanwhile, it has actively promoted global governance of outer space, and carried out international cooperation in space science, technology and application through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms.

China's space station model is on display at an exhibition on China's major scientific accomplishments during the 13th Five-Year Plan period. (PHOTO: XINHUA)

The white paper also highlights the key areas for future cooperation, including manned spaceflight, deep-space exploration, BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and personnel and academic exchanges.

One of the key international cooperation projects is the international lunar research station. As to the project, China and Russia are expected to sign an agreement later this year, according to Wu Yanhua, deputy director of CNSA. This will be a very large and long-term international scientific cooperation project, and all interested countries, organizations, scientists and engineers are welcomed to participate in it.

The construction of the international lunar research station will be completed by 2035, said Wu, adding that the lunar facility is like a small town equipped with energy system, communication and navigation system, long-distance transport system, space-to-ground round-trip system, ground support system, and life support system if humans are stationed there in the future.

Once completed, the station will host scientists from the international community to carry out scientific expedition on the moon.

Personnel and academic exchanges are also an important area of international cooperation. Through the Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (China), almost 1,000 space-industry professionals from more than 60 countries have been trained, and the "Belt and Road" Aerospace Innovation Alliance and the Association of Sino-Russian Technical Universities are established. It has also promoted personnel exchanges in remote-sensing and navigation technology through the International Training Program and other channels.

Next, China will expand personnel exchanges and training in the space industry and hold high-level international academic exchange conferences and forums, aiming to become a world center for talent and innovation in space science.

Peaceful exploration, development and utilization of outer space are rights equally enjoyed by all countries, noted the white paper, adding that China will work actively with other countries to carry out international space exchanges and cooperation, safeguard outer space security, and strive for long-term sustainability in activities related to outer space.