Item 4: General exchange of views and introduction of reports submitted on national activities
Head of Delegation, Mr. Li Guoping
Distinguished Madam Chair,
First of all, I would like to congratulate you on your election as the chair of this Session. The Chinese delegation will, as always, support the work of the chairperson and actively participate in the activities of the Session. We would also like to thank Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA and her team for the outstanding preparations made for the Session. We also congratulate Bahrain, Denmark and Norway on becoming Member States to COPUOS and wish this Session a complete success.
UNISPACE + 50 will be a landmark grand gathering in the peaceful use of outer space. China firmly supports preparatory process of UNISPACE + 50 and thanks OOSA for preparing the draft outcome document and is ready to work with all parties to build consensus and strive for high-quality outcome for UNISPACE + 50. This will contribute to the improvement of global governance in outer space and the promotion of outer space science and technology for human economic and social development.
Madam Chair,
In 2017, China conducted a total of 18 spaceflight missions, sending 31 spacecrafts to the preset orbits. There are over 200 satellites operating in orbit, covering such fields as communications, navigation, remote sensing and S&T experiments. Satellite applications have become an indispensable means of serving economic and social development, resources and environment protection as well as disaster prevention and mitigation.
On April 20th, 2017, China successfully launched Tianzhou 1 cargo spacecraft and verified on orbit the key technologies of space station cargo replenishment, on-orbit addition of propellant and autonomous and rapid rendezvous and docking, marking the successful completion of the second step in China’s manned space project and comprehensively ushering in the third phase of China's manned space project, namely, the construction of the space station. Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA and the UNOV-based representatives from six countries of Pakistan, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia watched the launch of Tianzhou 1 spaceship.
On June 15th, China successfully launched the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope Space Astronomy Satellite - "Huiyan", realizing a large sky area and wide-band X-ray scanning and observation and carrying out highly sensitive directional observation of important celestial bodies such as black holes and neutron stars.
On August 10, the on-orbit quantum science experiment satellite "Mozi" succeeded in realizing the two-way quantum communication between the satellite and the Earth at the level of one thousand kilometers and completed three major scientific objectives, namely, the satellite-Earth quantum entanglement distribution, high-speed quantum key distribution and Earth-satellite quantum teleportation. In addition, intercontinental quantum secure communications between “Mozi” and Austria were successful.
China's new generation of geostationary orbit meteorological satellite Fengyun-4 was delivered to users and put into operation on September 25th. It has been integrated by the World Meteorological Organization into the global Earth observation meteorological satellite sequence. On November 15th, China's second-generation polar orbiting meteorological satellite, Fengyun 3D, was successfully launched. Up to now, there are 8 Fengyun Series meteorological satellites operating in orbit. Fengyun Series meteorological satellites have provided users in 81 countries and regions with high-quality and high-timeliness data.
In 2017, China actively promoted the development of BeiDou Global Navigation Positioning System. On November 5th, China successfully launched the first two Beidou 3 satellites and opened a new phase of the global networking of Beidou satellite navigation system.
In response to global climate change and strengthening monitoring of the atmospheric environment, in 2017, China started the development of atmospheric environment monitoring and carbon monitoring satellites.
Madam Chair,
China has actively carried out the exercise in space debris mitigation and assessment and implemented the deactivation of the last stage of the Long March Series launch vehicles and the deorbit disposal of the decommissioned satellites, actively carried out spacecraft collision early warning service to ensure spacecraft launch and on-orbit safety. The development of China Meridian Project Phase II space environment land-based comprehensive monitoring network has started. The network will form a nationwide coverage, three-dimensional, networked, multi-factorial space environment monitoring land-based system.
China has continuously carried out joint monitoring and forecasting work on Tiangong-1 and has continuously revised the results of its fall on the basis of new monitoring data and gave a timely update to UNOOSA.
Madam Chair,
In October 2017, the 19th Chinese Communist Party Congress was successfully held in Beijing. The Chinese Communist Party has always regarded making new and greater contributions to mankind as its own mission and will work with people in other countries to promote the building of a community of common destiny with mankind and jointly create a prosperous and bright future for mankind. One of the purposes of China's space development is to promote human civilization and social progress for the benefit of all mankind.
China actively participates in the UNISPACE + 50’s 7 thematic priorities and China co-chaired the newly established Action Team on Exploration and Innovation with the United States and Jordan to actively promote a greater role of the UN in the field of space exploration and innovation. The Chinese government has actively initiated the third phase of UNSPIDER Beijing Office funding and provided a grant of 6 million RMB and 2 secondment experts to support the work of this Office. With the UN in Beijing, the Chinese government co-hosted the "UN International Conference on the Use of Space-based Technology for Disaster Risk Management”. China has continued to support all the work of the Asia-Pacific Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education, affiliated to the UN, and successfully hosted the third council meeting of the Center. In 2017, the Center recruited a total of 51 Master's and Doctoral candidates from 13 countries and organized 5 short-term training sessions with a total of 235 trainees from 31 countries.
China has actively participated in various activities of multilateral cooperation organizations such as the IADC, the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) and the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG). Relying on mechanisms as the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters (CHARTER), China has provided emergency satellite data services for disasters such as floods in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and the earthquake in Mexico.
In May 2017, China convened the first summit of "One Belt and One Road" initiative for international cooperation in Beijing. The development of the "Belt and Road" spatial information corridor proposed by China National Space Administration has become an important element in this cooperation. In September 2017, in Xiamen, China, the 9th BRICS Summit announced the Xiamen Declaration, stressing the need to strengthen international cooperation in space activities and use space technology to tackle global climate change, environmental protection, disaster prevention and relief and other challenges faced by mankind. In 2017, the space agencies in BRICS countries worked closely to decide on the cooperation program of the BRICS satellite constellation, completed the negotiation of the cooperation agreement and successfully held the first constellation application forum in Brazil. China supports the development of the APSPO and actively promotes the implementation of the cooperation project of the Asia-Pacific Multi-task Small Satellite and the project of Asia-Pacific University Students Small Satellite Constellation. China has stepped up cooperation with ASEAN countries in the field of spaceflight and has partnered with Indonesia to promote the China-ASEAN Information (Maritime) Application Center, and implement the Lancang-Mekong Spatial Information Exchange and Cooperation Center Project in Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
In 2017, the Sino-French cooperation in the China-France Ocean Satellite (CFOSAT) project is proceeding smoothly. Both China and France have stepped up their cooperation in coping with climate change and signed the MOU between China National Space Administration and the National Center for Space Studies of France on the joint application of space technology for climate change research and space exploration. China-Brazil Earth Resources 04A Satellite (CBERS04A), jointly developed by China and Brazil, has been steadily progressing. The construction of China-Brazil Joint Lab for Space Weather has been completed. 2018 will witness the celebration for 30 years of cooperation between China and Brazil in space cooperation. China successfully launched remote sensing satellite No. 2 for Venezuela and successfully launched for Algeria its No. 1 communications satellite.
Madam Chair,
On April 24th, 2017, China held the second "China Aerospace Day" series with the theme of "Creating a Better Life by Space Flight", which further publicized the role of the space technology to promote the economic development of human society. Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA made her personal appearance by attending a series of space-day events, had a face to face dialogue with the Chinese students, inspiring the young students’ dream about space.
In June 2017, the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) was held in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a special message of congratulation to the conference. With the theme of "Sharing" and "Cooperation," the conference attracted nearly 1,000 space elites from 51 countries and regions around the world to gather in Beijing to focus their discussions on the such hot space topics as the future direction of space exploration.
In 2017, China Chang'e 4 Project will complete the selection of international partners. The payloads developed by the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Saudi Arabia will be installed on Chang'e 4 and its relay satellites.
The Chinese government has actively encouraged commercial space development and formulated a series of supporting policies to create a sound environment for the healthy development of commercial space undertakings. Since 2017, China has successfully launched commercial remote-sensing satellites and commercial video satellites with a resolution of 0.5 meters and China's commercial space industry has entered a new era of vigorous development.
Madam Chair,
Guided by the principle of peaceful utilization and win-win cooperation, Chinas National Space Administration is willing to make concerted efforts with space agencies all over the world to bring the achievements of space science and technology development for the benefit of mankind.
Thank you, Madam Chair!
Item5：United Nations Program on Space Applications
Distinguished Madam Chair,
Distinguished delegates,
Greetings!
China actively supports the UN Program on Space Applications and we have made our own contributions to the areas of space education, basic space science, manned space exploration.
Affiliated to the United Nations and set up in China in 2014, the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (China), made steady and new progress in various fields over the past three years since its establishment with the support of the Chinese government and Beihang University. The Center's members are representatives from space agencies of some 10 countries including Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Peru and Venezuela. On November 29th, 2017, the third meeting of the Center’s Council was held in Beijing to exchange in-depth information on the development of the Center, amended the rules of procedure of the Board of Governors, adopted the working rules of the advisory committee and finalized the work plan for the next two years.
In 2017, the Center enrolled a total of 51 master's and doctoral candidates from 13 countries in the three professional fields of global satellite navigation system, remote sensing and geographic information system, space law and policy; organized 5 short-term training courses and trained a total of 235 students from 31 countries. In particular, from 21st to 24th of August 2017, the Center jointly organized the first "Space Technology Applications and Education" South American Forum with the Brazilian Space Agency, the Brazilian Institute of Space Technology and the Regional Center for Latin America to actively support the space science popularization events for the young people in both countries.
In 2017, on the one hand, the Center made full use of the existing faculty at Beihang University and invited senior experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation and other research institutes to the classrooms and made use of China's aerospace infrastructure to provide more and better opportunities of practice to the trainees at the Center. On the other hand, the Center invited international experts from Australia, Croatia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Spain, the United States to give lectures and share their experience in the space field. In September 2017, Mr. Camacho, former director of the UNOOSA, was invited to give lectures to the first class of the overseas graduate students of the Center for Space Law and Policy and his lectures were well-received.
The UN-Space Asia-Pacific Regional Education Center (China) has become not only an important platform for the UN to promote the application of space technology, but also an important base for China and other countries in carrying out education and training in the aerospace field. The China Regional Center is the first one to offer research topics on space law and policy and the attendees will graduate in June 2018.
In 2018, the Center plans to enroll 50 graduate students in four professional fields, namely, global navigation satellite system, remote sensing and geographic information system, small satellite technology, space law and policy and the Center will organize 4 short-term training courses on 4 topics including space applications and global health.
Madam Chair,
The Center has actively strengthened exchanges and cooperation with other regional centers by sharing technical and educational resources and pooling all resources for common development. Representatives of the Center successively visited the Regional Centers in Morocco, India, Nigeria, Latin America and the Caribbean r and Jordan, promoting, in depth, the "Space Applications Program" advocated by the United Nations and enhancing the exchange and cooperation among the regional centers. In February 2017, at the 54th Session of STSC under COPUOUS, Huang Haijun, Vice President of China's Beihang University, proposed the establishment of an alliance of UN regional centers. His proposal has won the strong support from the directors of OOSA, Nigeria and Latin America and the Caribbean Center, the Jordanian Regional Center and other delegates. In June 2017, during the meeting of directors of the regional centers affiliated with the United Nations held during the COPUOS session, the regional centers unanimously agreed to set up an alliance of regional centers (ARC) with its secretariat to be set up in China. Weng Jingnong, the Executive Director of the UN Regional Center (China), will become the first President.
The Alliance of regional Centers (ARC) aims to build a sustainable development resource network for regional centers. Based on the dynamic, self-owned resource of regional centers, the resources of all centers within the Alliance will be shared and capacities jointly developed and the sustainable development of global space technology application in OOSA’s UNISPACE + 50 framework will be promoted. Efforts will be made to continuously improve the capability of education and training in space technology application, help developing countries to upgrade their capabilities in space science and technology and enhance public awareness of the application of space science and technology.
Madam Chair,
On April 20, 2017, Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, director of OOSA and UNOV-based representatives from 6 countries, namely, Pakistan, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia, were invited to China to visit the relevant facilities of the manned space project and watched the launch of the Tianzhou 1, the cargo spacecraft at Wenchang Space Launch Center and visited the Asia-Pacific Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education at Beihang University. The event conveyed to the international community the Chinese government's consistent stance of making peaceful use of outer space and its firm determination to develop space undertakings and build itself into a space power. It has demonstrated its posture of being a self-confident, open, cooperative and inclusive space power and strengthened coordination and cooperation between China and UNOOSA and the relevant countries in outer space affairs, and enhanced cooperation and exchange in space programs with the relevant countries.
On February 22nd, 2017, witnessed by President Xi Jinping of China and President Sergio Mattarella of Italy, China and Italy signed an agreement between China Manned Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency concerning new scientific experiments aboard the Chinese Space Station regarding manned flight. On August 21st, 2017, 16 Chinese astronauts and 2 European astronauts successfully completed their 17-day maritime life-saving training mission in the sea near Yantai, Shandong Province. This is the first time that the Chinese astronauts have carried out life-saving training in the real sea area. It is also the first time for foreign astronauts to participate in large-scale training missions organized by China. The specialized training was mainly focused on the emergency return of the manned flight mission capsule from the space station and its splash into the sea, aimed at improving the capability of astronauts to exit independently the capsule as well as survival and rescue skills, train the willpower of the astronauts and improve team coordination and operational capability.
Madam Chair,
China attaches great importance to the role played by the STSC under COPUOS in program on space applications and expresses its appreciation for the achievements made in various fields under this framework. China is willing to conduct extensive international exchanges and cooperation on space applications and make contributions to ensuring the long-term sustainable development of human civilization.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Item 6: Space technology for
sustainable socioeconomic development
Madam Chair,
Distinguished delegates,
Good morning,
Next, I’d like to give you an update on China’s progress in the application of space technology for sustainable social and economic development in 2017.
China celebrated the second China Space Day on April 24th, 2017, with "Space creates beautiful life" as its theme. It focused on space applications and the transformation of the achievements of space technology and highlighted the significant achievements of the space industry in serving economic and social development, benefiting people's lives and driving science and technology progress. Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOS came to the event, had face to face dialogue with the Chinese college students. She participated in the relevant events, gave briefings on UNISPACE+50, inspiring their dreams on space.
With the theme of "Sharing" and "Cooperation", the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) 2017 in Beijing attracted thousands of space elites from 51 countries and regions around the world to discuss the future direction of the development of space exploration.
After 60 years of innovation and development, the Chinese space industry has accumulated a series of achievements in space applications and technological transformation. Space infrastructure such as remote sensing satellites represented by Gaofen, Fengyun, Ocean and Resources satellites, communications satellites represented by Zhongxing satellites and the Beidou satellite navigation systems have been widely used in various sectors of the national economy in China to provide more quality services to the general public.
At present, China has more than 200 satellites in orbit and operating in stable conditions, covering all areas such as communications, navigation and remote sensing. Satellite applications have become an indispensable means for economic and social development, resources and environment protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, and the fostering of new industries. The Fengyun series meteorological satellites have provided highly timely satellite meteorological data to users in 81 countries and regions and covers 37 countries and regions along the “Belt and Road”. It is widely used in the fields of weather forecasting, disaster prevention and mitigation and scientific research.
At present, China’s spatial information is accelerating its integration with high-tech technologies such as big data, cloud computing and Internet of things and the scale of emerging strategic industries for satellites and applications is growing at an average annual growth rate of over 20%, and is expected to become a new spot of economic growth. At the same time, the transformation of space technology achievements has also led to the rapid development of sectors such as electronic information, precision manufacturing, new materials, new energy sources and has effectively promoted the innovation and development in the basic sciences such as earth science and life science. Aerospace has become an important means to meet the needs of economic and social development, an effective way to enhance the quality of people's life, and a powerful engine to drive scientific and technological progress.
Madam Chair,
To promote the application of space technology in the global health sector and further implement the activities related to thematic priority 5 "Enhancing Space Cooperation for Global Health" in the fields of space and global health, supported by China National Space Administration, the Asia-Pacific Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education, affiliated to the United Nations, will jointly organize, with the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a training course on "Space Cooperation for Global Health" from April 12th to April 26th, 2018 in Beijing and Harbin, China. This training course will focus on the application of space technology and spatial information technology in the global health sector. At the same time,
all the participants of the training course will also be invited to attend the 3rd China Space Day event in city of Harbin, Heilongjiang Province as well as the Global Health Forum of the China Space Congress. We have distributed a brochure and welcome the active applications from developing countries. The Chinese government will also provide financial assistance to experts in related fields to attend the training course.
Madam Chair,
China attaches great importance to the role of the STSC of the COPUOS in guiding the application of space technology in the field of sustainable socio-economic development and appreciates the achievements already made in this regard. China stands ready to carry out more extensive international exchanges and cooperation with relevant countries on the application of space technology to sustainable social and economic development and will make more contributions to ensuring such an application.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Item 7 Remote Sensing
Madam Chair, distinguished delegates,
Good morning.
It is my pleasure to report at this session on remote sensing in China in 2017. There are three parts to my report—overall development, data applications and future plans.
Overall development of remote sensing system in China
In 2017, Gaofen-3, the first meter-level resolution SAR satellite of the China High-resolution Earth Observation System(CHEOS), was formally put into operation. As of now, having in orbit four satellites, Gaofen-1, Gaofen-2, Gaofen-3 and Gaofen-4, the system can capture wide-field images at high spatial and temporal resolution in all-weather, all-day conditions. The system also features rapid-roll attitude control capability and high positioning accuracy. In 2017, CHEOS focused its efforts on building the terrestrial and application systems and with the entry into service of the North Pole ground station, the system can now collect more data at a faster speed. Data provided by CHEOS are now used in the areas of land resources, agriculture, environmental protection, disaster relief, forestry oceanic surveillance and meteorology and are playing a bigger role in the local government administration systems. With satellite data resources being integrated and shared on the CHEOS application-sharing platform, the application threshold is lowered, better services are being offered to help build the so-called Makerspace and innovate the service platform for business startups.
Application of CHEOS satellite data
As of the end of 2017, under the arrangement of the China National Space Administration, more than 7.04 million frames of satellite data from Gaofen-1, Gaofen-2, Gaofen-3 and Gaofen-4 had been distributed to over 5,000 organizations from 20 sectors in 30 provinces.
Integrated Information Service Sharing Platform for CHEOS Applications
The platform officially became operational on March 10, 2016. By integrating data from all CHEOS in-orbit satellites, the platform provides a more convenient one-stop channel to access satellite data and services, through which generation of common products, collection and transmission of information and 3-D visualization can be integrated and shared.
As a platform for data products, the CHEOS platform has now integrated 446 shared dedicated products, 39 categories of common products, 86 algorithm models, observation data of 40 validation sites, 24 software tools, 88 service products, 121 standards or specifications and offers over 100 service links and 840 TB shared data.
As a platform for information service, the CHEOS platform effectively provides to both domestic and international customers with such services as information retrieval, needs applications, technical support, resources sharing and product customization on the basis of the list of remote sensing products and services developed by the national sector administrations and provincial centers.
As a platform for Makerspace, the CHEOS platform provides the startup entrepreneurs with one-stop working space, online space and resources sharing space by integrating data, softwares, tools applications and services via Cloud service and lowering the technical threshold of applications.
Furthermore, the CHEOS platform is also a platform for international cooperation, which contributes to the building of the multi-task small satellite constellation of Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization(APSCO), remote sensing satellite constellation of the BRICS and the Belt and Road Space Information Corridor. The platform offers services to the end users of satellite data around the world and is making unremitting efforts to build the human community of shared destiny.
The national level network of validation sites is taking shape.
This national level network of validation sites of the high resolution earth observation system has deduced 39 common products from data of 446 subjects, built a network composed of 40 field validation stations on the basis of the validation requirements and developed 33 standards for collecting field observation data. All validation data can be transmitted in real time to the CHEOS platform. The platform integrates four major categories of validation algorithms, supports all types of on-platform validation and thus will further boost China’s quantitative application capability of earth observation technology and promote international distribution of data products.
Effectiveness of Gaofen satellites in emergency response to disaster events
The response capability across the entire process has been developed by testing the emergency responsiveness of the CHEOS satellites. The satellites in geosynchronous orbit is capable of emergency response within one hour and 2 hours for satellites in polar orbit when in the observation circles. Thus the Gaofen satellites can provide effective space information support for emergency response to major natural disasters, environmental events and other events.
Data of the Gaofen system is increasingly commercialized and industrialized.
Remote sensing satellites and their data applications are becoming more industrialized and international through the enhancement of the data policies and the industrial system. China’s key businesses such as PIESAT, GEOVIS, Twenty First Century Aerospace Technology Co., Ltd, China RS Geoinformatics, Aerospace TITAN and Astronautics Hengxing are using CHEOS data in exploring the business models which combine Internet Plus, Gaofen Plus and Cloud Computing , thus beginning the prelude of Gaofen satellites industrialization.
To actively promote international cooperation and exchanges on Gaofen satellite data
Under the arrangement of China National Space Administration and on the basis of the principle of equality and friendship, sincere cooperation and mutual benefits, we have carried out international cooperation on Gaofen data and applications, provided support to UNSPIDER and APSCO. Gaofen-1 and Gaofen-2 have fulfilled their duties as on-duty satellites under the CHARTER mechanism in proving important data support to the monitoring and evaluation of floods in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Furthermore, the temporal and spatial resolution of Gaofen-4 imagery is recognized by the World Meterological Organization as having milestone significance and serves as an example for the development of geostationary meterological satellites around the world.
Future Plans
Moving forward, we are going to speed up the development of Gaofen-5, a hyper-spectral remote sensing satellite with nanometer level resolution which can detect atmospheric contents and surface minerals. This satellite will be launched this year. We will also promote wider and more in-depth application of Gaofen data and do the utmost to meet domestic user demand. We are going to accelerate the building of the CHEOS platform Version 2.0 which, according to the plan, will be launched on April 24, 2018, the third China Space Day. We are planning to build the Cloud Service platform for the BRICS remote sensing satellite constellation through this CHEOS platform Version 2.0.
China is ready to make efforts together with all governments, space agencies and relevant international cooperation organizations to develop the earth observation undertakings to make even bigger contributions to peace and development, to building the human community of shared destiny.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Item 8: Space Debris
Distinguished Madam Chair,
Distinguished delegates,
Greetings!
China has always attached importance to the research and management of space debris, steadily promoted its special research and engineering application, actively conducted academic exchanges and continuously expanded its international cooperation. The following is a briefing on the progress made by China in 2017 from three aspects: space debris, the progress of scientific research and international cooperation. In addition, I will also brief you on the progress and follow-up of Tiangong-1.
First, progress on space debris research
In monitoring and early warning, China has conducted researches on new technologies for space debris monitoring and risk prediction and established a model for evaluating the effectiveness of space debris monitoring equipment and a model for networked operation optimization of monitoring equipment. A software system for evaluating the effectiveness of the space debris monitoring network was developed. It can be used for the planning and design of the space debris monitoring network and for providing technical support to the quantitative analysis of indicator parameters of monitoring equipment and conventional operation modes. An analysis algorithm of 4 types of events such as disintegration, collision, orbit change and fall of space debris was established. Emergency analysis procedures and response to collision, disintegration and fall events were formulated and a space emergency analysis platform (SEAP) was developed. Over 30 spatial events were analyzed and the results were applied to help decision-making by the relevant users, thereby improving the timeliness of responding to space debris emergency, enhancing the technical capabilities for its analysis and providing early-warning on conventional on-orbit collision for important satellites.
In terms of spacecraft protection, China completed the space debris protection structure design and ultra-high-speed impact test for its future space station and built a protection design database system, which currently contains 516 effective data volumes for protection structures and 233 for components. The system is now engineering- applicable. Initial achievements have been made in vulnerability evaluation of satellite impact, malfunction analysis and experiment on structure / components such as carbon skin aluminum honeycomb panel and satellite cable. Study has been carried out on the ultra-high-speed impact characteristics of the polyester flyer impact on Whipple protection structure in the speed range of 3-12km / second. Initial progress has been made.
In space debris mitigation, China has continuously promoted the implementation of the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the COPUOS, strengthened the implementation of China's management and technical standards for space debris mitigation and issued regulations for the mitigation of space debris protection. At the same time, the technical standards and the relevant requirements promulgated and to be promulgated in the field of space debris mitigation have been systematically sorted out to meet the requirements of the new situation.
China's Tianzhou 1 cargo spacecraft has completed multiple expansion applications and related planned tests. At around 18:00 hours on September 22nd, after 2 braking maneuvers and continuous drop of orbit altitude, Tianzhou 1 finally entered the atmosphere and burned down. China's new generation of launch vehicles Long March 7, Long March 5 and the Yuanzheng Series upper stage all have the post-mission disposal capabilities. China has also continued its research on key technologies such as robot arms that actively clean up space debris, electric rope, and drag devices so as to provide technical support for maintaining a clean space environment and step up research on the reentry disintegration model for the final stage of launch vehicles.
In addition, to strengthen technical exchanges in the field of space debris and support the implementation requirements of mitigation of space debris protection, under the guidance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Space Debris Monitoring and Applications Center, held the 9th National Space Debris Academic Exchange Conference from August 23rd to 25th, 2017 in Guizhou, China with some 240 participants. The conference comprehensively summarized and demonstrated the new achievements of China in the field of space debris research and applications in recent two years. The conference had focused discussions on 12 topics ranging from space debris monitoring technology, feature detection technology, environment modeling and analysis, orbit design and data processing, collision risk analysis, protection design, vulnerability assessment, mitigation and clearance, to laws and standards.
Second, international cooperation on space debris
In international cooperation, China actively participated in the work of the IADC by joining the IADC Working Group I, tasked with the space debris search on the high-altitude orbit. China took an active part in the IADC fall joint observation event, and joined the IADC Working Group II’s "Joint Study on Uncertainty of Long-term Evolution Model" with the self-developed long-term evolution model of space debris environment SOLEM and submitted relevant results in September 2017. As a follow-up, China will continue to participate in the comparative research of relevant results.
In the meantime, the Chinese government attaches great importance to bilateral cooperation in space debris. China, the United States and the Russian Federation have successively conducted exchanges in such fields as space debris technology and policies. China has also assisted Venezuela in conducting a risk assessment of dangerous rendezvous between the "Venezuex-1" communications satellite and the U.S. GOES 6 satellite in 2017 to ensure the safe operation of satellites in orbit. The first training session was organized for the Venezuelan space agency's project team in China on the satellite collision early warning technology. As a follow-up, the two sides will continue to promote the technical training and personnel exchange.
Third, the progress and handling of Tiangong-1
China attaches great importance to every aspect of the Tiangong-1’s re-entry into the atmosphere and has set up a special working group to formulate relevant contingency plans and closely organize the follow-up monitoring, forecasting and the relevant analysis and research.
Tiangong-1 was launched on September 29th, 2011. It had 6 rendezvous and dockings with Shenzhou 8 and 9 spacecrafts successively. It has completed various assignments and made important contributions to the development of manned space flight in China. On March 16th, 2016, the Tiangong-1 target manned vehicle ceased to function and fully accomplished its historic mission. As of December 24th, 2017, Tiangong–1 runs on an orbit with an average height of about 286.5 kilometers, with a perigee of 272.6 kilometers, an apogee of 300.4 kilometers and an inclination of about 42.85 degrees. At present, the whole structure is complete, the flight posture is stable and no anomaly is observed in its shape. According to the latest forecast, the reentry time is expected to be from early February to late March 2018. Tiangong-1 has a launching mass of 8.5 tons, a total length of 10.5 meters, a maximum diameter of 3.35 meters, monomethyl hydrazine and nitrogen trioxide are used as the engine fuel. Analysis suggests that the remaining residual of fuel will be burned out during the re-entry into the atmosphere with the structural components and will cause no harm to the ground.
As a follow-up, China will continue to closely monitor the operation of Tiangong-1, and regularly release relevant information to the public through media such as “China Manned Space” official website.
Madam Chair,
China attaches great importance to the role played by the STSC under COPUOS on space debris. China is willing to conduct broader international exchanges and cooperation in space debris and make its contribution to the long-term sustainable development of human space activities.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Item 9 Disaster Management Support
Mr Chairman, distinguished delegates,
Good morning to all.
On behalf of the Chinese government, I'd like to make a statement under item 9 to to outline the disaster management support efforts undertaken by China in 2017 and the progress we made in this area.
In 2017, China fully leveraged remote-sensing satellite data provided by meteorological, resources and environment satellites throughout the disaster management monitoring process. China stepped up international exchange and cooperation last year to increase the support provided by space technology to disaster reduction and relief efforts.
In 2017, to respond to major natural disasters that hit China, our National Commission for Disaster Reduction and Ministry of Civil Affairs activated Level-4 National Emergency response 15 times. Level-3 and Level-2 response were activated once respectively, and 3 disaster alerts were issued. To respond to these disasters, in particular the magnitude-7 earthquake that hit Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan province, the devastating landslide in Mao county, Sichuan, the flooding in Hunan and Jiangxi last June and in Jilin last July, and the drought in eastern part of Inner Mongolia, China's National Disaster Reduction Center, hosted by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, used environment and disaster reduction satellites and the Gaofen satellites to carry out timely disaster monitoring and assessment, which provided effective support to our national emergency response and disaster relief efforts. Continuous remote-sensing and monitoring of the rebuilding efforts following the devastating hurricane that hit Yancheng, Jiangsu in 2016 provided timely and accurate space information, products and service, which proved to be a sound basis for decision-making in national disaster reduction and relief efforts.
Mr chairman,
Drawing upon information and data from its maritime satellites, China has been able to improve the accuracy and timeliness of forecasting for sea surface temperature, sea ice and sea wave. A monitoring and consultation mechanism for sea ice based on satellite data was set up, and its application demonstration provided indispensable information for sea ice monitoring, disaster assessment and emergency response. We were able to carry out early detection, monitoring and tracking of green tide. Several satellite remote-sensing monitoring reports on red tide were prepared and issued. In 2017, we followed closely 16 typhoons. Real-time quantified information such as typhoon eye positions, radius, maximum speeds sent to relevant departments provided near real time information for typhoon forecasting consultation during the flood season.
Fengyun-4, China's new generation geostationary meteorological satellite launched on 17 Dec 2016 was delivered to its customer and put into service on 25 Sept 2017. During its in-orbit testing period, Fengyun-4 carried out targeted monitoring of hazardous weather and environment conditions such as typhoon, sandstorm, severe convective storm, blue-green algae bloom and smog. It provided strong support to the early warnings issued for the severe sandstorm last May in northern China, the major storm that hit North China last June, continued heavy rains in southern China from the end of June to the beginning of July last year and the Merbok and Nanmadol typhoons. Fengyun-3D, launched with success on 15 Nov 2017, is China’s first Earth remote-sensing satellite to receive data from a ground station located in the Antarctica. Fengyun-4D operates together with Fengyun-3C as a constellation, one working in the morning and the other in the afternoon. It will play an important role in China’s drive to further improve weather forecasts and address climate change.
To date, 6 out of 9 of China's Fengyun series in-orbit satellites are in operation, providing highly timely meteorological satellite data to customers in 81 countries and regions. These data are widely used in weather forecasting, disaster reduction and relief and scientific research.
Zhangheng-1, a seismo-electromagnetic test satellite, launched with success from China's Jiuquan launch center on 2 Feb 2018, is the first space-based platform for China’s three-dimensional earthquake monitoring system. It ushers in a new era in earthquake monitoring and forecasting. Observing Earth from space, it captures the major dynamics, enjoys wide viewing angles and operates full time. It carries out real time monitoring of the ionosphere dynamics and tracks earthquake warning signs in China and its surrounding regions, by capturing observation data of plasma and high energy particles from Earth's magnetic field and ionosphere. Thus it is able to address some shortcomings of Earth-based observation.
Mr Chairman,
China continues to provide funding and technical support to UN-SPIDER Beijing Office. Under the Agreement between the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the PRC and the UN to Fund UN-SPIDER Beijing Ofiice 2017-2020 signed in Oct 2017, the 3rd funding cycle was launched, during which China will provide 6 million RMB and second 2 experts to support UN-SPIDER Beijing Office. From 23 to 25 Oct 2017, China and the UN co-organised the UN International Conference on Space-based Technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction. At the conference, participants fully exchanged views on building disaster resilience through integrated use of space data and information. A training workshop on Integrated Applications of Data for Disaster Monitoring and Assessment was organised 26-30 Oct 2017 by UN-SPIDER Beijing Office, APSCO and Beihang University.
Mr Chairman,
In 2017, China provided data from its new generation high resolution observation satellite GF-2 for use by CHARTER. To date, 5 Chinese satellites, namely GF-1, GF-2, CBERS-04, SJ-9A, FY-3A, provide data for international disaster reduction and relief efforts. Under mechanisms such as CHARTER, China continues to use its in-orbit civil satellites to carry out global natural disaster monitoring and provide international humanitarian assistance. In 2017, China provided emergency satellite data service for relief efforts following the flooding in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and the earthquake in Mexico.
In 2017, AOGEOSS actively coordinated Earth observation infrastructure sharing and technical cooperation in Asia and Oceania. These efforts are aimed at promoting applications in areas key to regional countries' socio-economic development, so as to jointly address challenges posed by sustainable development, global changes and major disasters.
Mr Chairman,
China highly values STSC's role in disaster management and response and appreciates the many achievements by its working groups and expert groups. China stands ready to engage in broad international exchange and cooperation in disaster management and to contribute to the long-term sustainable development of human civilisation.
Thank you for your attention!
Item 10 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
(Presentation on the Beidou Navigation Satellite System)
Distinguished Chairperson,
The Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) is a Global Navigation Satellite System independently developed by China and serves the world. It is a major spatial information infrastructure that can provide global users with high-precision positioning, navigation and timing services in all-weather and all-day conditions.
At the end of 2012, the Beidou-2 (BD2) system formally started to provide services to the Asia Pacific region. For the past 5 years, the system has been in continuous stable operation and the positioning accuracy increased from 10 to 6 meters. Currently, the Beidou-3 (BD3) system has entered a new era of global constellation and four satellites of the constellation have been launched. The plan is to complete about 18 satellite launches by the end of 2018 to provide basic services to countries along the Belt and Road and be capable of providing services to the world by 2020. BD3 transmits more refined navigation signals with positioning accuracy between 2.5 and 5 meters, which is an improvement over BD2 by one to 2 folds. The construction of the BD ground-based enhancement system has been basically completed which offers trial run services and metre-grade, centimeter-grade and post-incident millimeter-grade high-precision services are available for users within China.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the application and industrialization of the BDS with it listed and prioritized as a strategic emerging industry. The BDS industry chain is now complete, offering proprietary applications for national security and other key sectors as well as mass products for ordinary consumers, hence generating a new model of a fusion of applications named “BD+”. Currently, BDS chips are being used on a large scale with the processing precision refined to 28 nanometers. Their overall performance is on a par with international advanced levels. Most mainstream mobile phones worldwide support the BDS functions. Industrial applications of the BDS in various sectors demonstrate the advantage of scale. We have widely adopted BDS in such fields as public security, transport, fishery, electricity, forestry and disaster reduction. BDS also lends service to smart city projects and social governance. In order to encourage global enterprises to develop BDS application terminals and promote the wide application of BDS, the Chinese government has published in total 6 versions of signal interface control documents, 1 service performance specifications and the China BDS White Paper. At present, we are actively promoting the legislative work on the Navigation Satellite Regulations of the People’s Republic of China. The average annual revenue growth rate of the GNSS sector in China is over 15% and the revenue for 2017 exceeded 250 billion Yuan, to which the BDS contributed 80%.
The Chinese government actively promotes the internationalization of the BDS and is committed to providing high-quality and free open services of the BDS to global users. It has also carried out extensive international cooperation and earnestly shouldered its international obligations. Joint statements on compatibility and interoperability between the BDS and other navigation satellite systems have been signed, thus China has made its contribution to win-win solutions of all systems and to the experience of more efficient and reliable services by global users. China is an active member of the UN International Committee on GNSS (ICG) and will host its 13th session in Xi’an China from Nov 4 to 9 this year. The BDS is now a member to 3 major international organizations, namely the ICAO, IMO and 3GPP Mobile Communications. BDS will also provide free of charge global search and rescue services. China and the countries along the "Belt and Road" have established sound cooperation mechanisms for satellite navigation by organizing such events as “BD Tour to the Asia and Pacific”, “the BD Tour to ASEAN”, “China-Arab BD cooperation forum” and “China-Saudi Arabia GNSS seminar” to enhance technical exchanges and HR training in this field.
Mr. Chair,
The Chinese government will continue to firmly promote the construction of the BDS, constantly improve its system performance and continue to advance navigation satellite applications. Meanwhile, the navigation satellite system is the common wealth of human scientific and technological development. The GNSS including the BDS has become a global public resource. Multi-system compatibility and interoperability have become a development trend. We will join hands with other countries and regions in the world dedicated to the construction and application of navigation satellite systems to jointly promote the development of global navigation satellite undertakings and make the GNSS better serve the development of human society.
Thank you Chair and thank you for your attention.
Item 11 Space weather
Honourable Chair，
Distinguished delegates,
Good morning/afternoon to all .
1) Under this agenda item I am going to present to you the results and progress achieved in China related to space weather activities in 2017.
2) In September 2017, Satellite FY4A was delivered to the user, on which the space-weather payload has enhanced tremendously the high-energy-particle detection capability and achieved multi-directional and multi-spectrum rapid detection. Its comprehensive detection of space-weather effect on geostationary orbit has filled the gap in our domestic capacity. The charge potential is combined with radiation dosimetry detector to attain coordinated detection of total radiation dosage, surface potential, deep-layer potential and absolute potential.
3) On 14 November 2017， Satellite FY3D was successfully launched, which carries two newly added space-environment payloads, namely, wide angle aurora imagery and ionospheric photometer. The former can monitor polar-aurora intensity and range, through which we may understand the changes of high-energy particles, electric field and magnetic field in upper atmosphere. The ionospheric photometer, on the other hand, focuses on monitoring the status of electric field in the ionosphere. It is capable of presenting vertical distribution of upper-atmospheric electron concentration, measuring extreme UV-band radiation and airglow intensity of oxygen atoms and Nitrogen 2 molecules. The wide angle aurora imagery and the ionospheric photometer complement each other and can observe in real time changes in space-weather parameters of upper-atmospheric electric field, magnetic field and high-energy particles, thus providing strong support to space weather forecast, reducing the impact of space weather on space flight and aeronautical flight, communication, navigation and positioning services for the sake of human health.
4) During the 12th Five-Year-Plan period China completed the Meridian Project, namely the land-based space weather integrated observation chain in the eastern hemisphere. By using data of the Meridian Project, a batch of innovative scientific research results have been gained in studies on space environment features, the meridian chain transmission of space-weather events as well as the coupling between the various layers of the Earth’s inner space. In October 2017, China initiated the construction of the space environment land-based integrated monitoring network (Meridian Project Phase II), which, as the next step to Meridian Project I, distributes its stations more extensively and makes use of multiple integrated detection means to form a land-based space environment monitoring system that covers the whole of China and is three-dimensional and network-shaped with multiple components.
5) Based on work mentioned above, Chinese scientists have proposed the International Meridian Circle Program (IMCP) to address scientific issues such as conventional and non-conventional disasters related to earth-space environment system. Through joint efforts of countries and regions along the Meridian circle between 120º East and 60º West, an international cooperation platform will be established for Earth-Space system studies, coordinated monitoring, information sharing, human resources training and contributing to the human peaceful use of outer space.
6) China-Brazil Joint Laboratory for Space Weather is an important component of the IMCP. With the completion of ts construction in June 2017, the equipment for space weather monitoring and the South America data sub-centre are in operation. Specialists are carrying out all-weather symmetric joint comparison studies by taking advantage of the uniqueness of the geographic mutual conjugation between China and Brazil and using data both from China's Meridian Project and the EMBRACE centre of Brazil.
7) In 2017 the joint China-Europe "Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer" (SMILE) mission was approved by both partners and in May a cooperation agreement on SMILE was signed by both sides in London. This satellite mission will début the first integral imaging of inter-action between solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere, which is important to the understanding of the impact of solar wind on Earth plasma environment and space weather. The SMILE satellite is expected to be launched in 2022. When in operation it may coordinate with observations of the IMCP to form a space-Earth integrated monitoring network on Earth-space environment with multiple parameters, thus enabling humans to upgrade its knowledge of the global behavior of the near Earth space environment.
8) On 6 September 2017 the sun erupted the largest flare since the twenty-fourth week of activity, entailing subsequent strong solar proton event, strong geomagnetic storm and other hazardous space environment events. 5 September (i.e. 15th of the 7th lunar month) marks the ZhongYuan Day (or Hungry Ghost Festival) in Chinese tradition and this solar activity was hence named “ZhongYuan Day Solar Storm". Faced with the roaring solar storm the National Space Science Centre of the Chinese Science Academy sent out alerts and information on potential hazards to all satellite users and the public and enabled the Chinese human space flight project and space science satellite missions to take timely action against risks.
Delegates,
Mr./Madam Chair,
9) China attaches great importance to the role of the STSC in response to space weather and appreciates the outcomes achieved by the Working and Expert Groups. China is ready to carry out international exchanges and cooperation extensively and make its contribution to the long-term sustainable development of human civilization.
Thanks.
Item 12 Near-Earth objects
Mr Chairman, distinguished delegates,
Good morning to all. Under this agenda item, I’d like to talk about China’s activities in near-Earth objects monitoring and defense.
China takes seriously near-Earth objects monitoring, early warning and defense. We fully understand and recognize the importance and urgency of this work. The Space Debris Observation and Data Application Center set up by China National Space Administration (CNSA) is responsible for activities related to near-Earth objects in China. It is tasked with developing and operating near-Earth objects monitoring equipments, data processing, early warning and analysis.
In 2017, China made a great deal of efforts in near-Earth objects research. As a result, our monitoring capacity and early warning technology were improved.
Based on the optical images of asteroid Toutatis (4179) obtained by Chang’e-II, China carried out a series of studies and made important progress in its physical characterization, gaining more insight into its surface features, internal structure and formation mechanism. Obtaining accurate information on near-Earth objects’ characteristics is key to early warning and defense.
China has built up initial NEO monitoring capacity thanks to the observatories located in Xinglong, Xuyu and Lijiang, which are equipped with telescopes capable of observing NEO. China’s NEO Telescope (hosted in International Station No. D29) ranks the 7th among 425 observatories in the world in terms of the total number of solar system small celestial bodies observed. It discovered 600 new asteroids in 2017, 51 of which were cataloged, including a potentially hazardous one (2017 BL3).
China has also built up preliminary NEO data processing and early warning capacity, including the capacity to process observation data to extract orbit information and physical characteristics information. We also use internationally accepted models for risk assessment. On 4 Oct 2017, at 20h07 Beijing time, a fireball exploded in the sky over Shangri La, in China's south-west Yunnan province, causing a great deal of concern among the general public about asteroid impacting Earth. We carried out analysis on this incident and used the incident as an occasion to disseminate information to the general public on NEO early warning and defense and achieved good results.
Mr Chairman,
Just last week, on 26 Jan 2018, China organized a seminar on ‘Ultra-High-Speed collision of asteroids with Earth’ in Mianyang, Sichuan. The seminar focused on issues such as asteroids’ entry into Earth atmosphere, disintegration, explosion, impacts on land and oceans, physical process-based technology for impact harm assessment.
Mr. Chairman,
China actively participates in international conferences on NEO-related issues and in technical exchanges and discussions related to defense against NEO. China appreciates the work done by SMPAG and IAWN under the UN framework, and believes these two international cooperation mechanisms contribute to the common efforts by humanity to address the threat posed by NEO.
China attaches great importance to the role played by SMPAG in the field of NEO. In 2017, CNSA attended SMPAG meetings as an observer. During this session, CNSA formally submitted applications to join SMPAG and IAWN. We look forward to working closely with our international counterparts within the UN framework of SMPAG and IAWN and contributing China’s wisdom and strength to build our shared capacity to defend humanity against the threat posed by hazardous NEO.
Mr Chairman,
China attaches great importance to STSC's role in responding to NEO. China stands ready to engage in extensive international exchange and cooperation on this issue and contribute to the long-term sustainable development of human civilization.
Thank you for your attention.
Item 13:Use of nuclear power sources in outer space
Mr. Chairman/Madam Chair, dear delegates:
Nuclear power sources in outer space is the key technology that supports human exploration of space. However, the issue of safety has always been an important part of the design and application of NPS in outer space. With regard to this issue of safety, China's understanding is quite similar to those as set out in the Safety Framework for Nuclear Power Source Applications in Outer Space.
The Chinese government has always attached great importance to the safety in the design and application of NPS in space and has accumulated initial experience in the safety management and technical practice of isotope nuclear sources. Concerning the safety issues of the isotope nuclear source on board the lunar surface detectors, China has carried out the safety design and test of the whole life cycle. At the same time, research work including safety analysis, design and test verification is carried out in cases of failure and unexpected accidents and the corresponding safety measures are adopted.
On the basis of the ongoing research work, China will continue to carry out technical research on the safety of NPS in space and enhance the safety and application of NPS technology. In the meantime, China calls on all countries in the world to strengthen the research and cooperation on safety technology of NPS with a view to guiding the healthy and safe development in the design and application of NPS.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Item 14 Long-term sustainability of outer space activities
Distinguished Ms. Chair, distinguished delegates,
Good morning to all.
Long-term sustainability of outer space activities (LTS) is vital to human space activities and represents the most dynamic multilateral negotiation process. The Chinese government always attaches importance to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and lends active support to the deliberations by the STSC on this agenda item. China is of the view that long-term sustainability of outer space activities is an important common understanding reached by the international community in the peaceful exploration and uses of outer space under the new circumstances and represents an extension and application of the concept of sustainable human development into the outer space. The deliberations on and formulation of the LTS Guidelines under the framework of the United Nations contributes to enhancing the mutual trust and cooperation among states in outer space governance and is helpful for states to pursue the best practice in the peaceful uses of outer space in light of their national context.
The Chinese delegation has been an active participant in the LTS Working Group and highly appreciates the important progress achieved by the Working Group led by Mr. Martinez. The existing draft Guidelines that have already been agreed upon lay a sound foundation for in-depth discussion and further agreement by all parties as well as for the completion of the Working Group report and a full compendium of guidelines. Note must be taken that the mandate of the Working Group is going to expire imminently and the consultations on the Guidelines is in a crucial phase. For the purpose of better achieving the working objectives set by the Committee and realizing the values of the Guidelines in the global outer space governance, China would like to stress the following four comments:
Firstly, the working objectives and methodology must be made clear and the existing legal system governing outer space must be stringently adhered to. China is of the view that any guideline formulated under the agenda item of long-term sustainability of outer space activities should be in conformity with the existing rules of international law governing outer space activities. The relevant guidelines are not legally binding and are for voluntary implementation by states. States should be allowed to take phased measures to implement the requirements of the guidelines within their domestic legal framework in light of their national circumstances and capacities. On issues such as registration of space objects, pre-launch assessment of possible conjunctions, active removal of space debris and sharing of monitoring information, the Guidelines should not go beyond the current stage of space technology development and should provide effective and helpful guidance to states for outer space activities. Furthermore, the report of the LTS Working Group and the Guidelines negotiations, development and implementation should all strictly be in keeping with the Terms of reference and methods of work of the Working Group on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities of the Scientific and Technical Sub-committee(A66/20, Annex 2)
Secondly, new issues and new challenges should be addressed in a practical manner. As one of important soft law processes in the field of outer space, LTS should timely respond to the new trend of space activities of states and effectively address major challenges against safety and development in outer space to resolve the salient issues. With regard to space debris mitigation and satellites collision avoidance, the Guidelines must be able to provide more realistic guidance by taking stock of the existing and operable practical measures. At the same time, the Guidelines should also take into account equal and free use of outer space as well as healthy and orderly outer space activities so as to bring genuine benefits to sustainable and coordinated development of human peaceful uses of outer space and outer space activities. The Guideline text on “International Cooperation” should fully reflect the spirit and concept of equality, openness, inclusiveness and non-discrimination and should encourage states to be engaged in outer space cooperation and exchanges at different levels, in broad areas and with different forms for mutual benefits and moving forward together.
Thirdly, focus must be given on measures that benefit all states in light of the development of the situation in outer space and in particular, consideration must be given to the needs and benefits of the developing countries. At present, security, safety and sustainable development in outer space are faced with more and more challenges year by year with continuous innovations in space science and technology, sharp growth of the outer space object population and increasing diversification of outer space activities players. As one of important soft law processes to deal with the afore-mentioned issues, LTS should become a practice guide by timely responding to new changes and new problems that need urgent solution. The formulation of any draft LTS guidelines should fully accommodate concerns of all parties, in particular, take into account the practical need of the developing countries to take part in and develop space activities and be based on the realities of space technologies and applications. The draft Guidelines should enhance the mutual trust and cooperation among states and relevant international organizations in outer space governance, encourage all countries to share the benefits of outer space to the welfare of mankind and not set threshold to impede the developing countries from taking part in and developing space activities.
Fourthly, agreement should be reached as soon as possible by valuing achievements already made and reinforcing mutual trust and cooperation among states and relevant international organizations. China is of the view that as the LTS process is now in a crucial phase, in the subsequent discussions, the Working Group should set up good channels of dialogue, facilitate brainstorming among all parties, seek common grounds while shelving differences, consolidate agreements already reached and further expand the scope of agreement. China calls on all states for mutual tolerance and understanding, to make necessary compromises and concessions so as to smoothly produce the final outcome on schedule and to lay a good foundation of agreement for the subsequent technical exchanges, cooperation projects and rules-making activities under the United Nations framework. The Guidelines and other current processes on outer space should work together to improve the soft law regulatory system and promote modernization and rule of law in outer space governance by supporting, coordinating with and learning from each other.
Mr. Chairman,
China believes that all states should give high priority to promoting practical cooperation and exchanges in the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, pushing forward the common development of space activities of mankind through more open and inclusive cooperation, achieving long-term mutual benefits and win-win in outer space through equitable, balanced, reasonable and feasible means of space governance and collectively promoting the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. China supports a bigger role of COPUOS in various mechanisms and processes within the framework of the United Nations and would like to propose to include the item on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities as a permanent item on the agenda of the Scientific and Technical Sub-committee of the Committee on the Peaceful Use of Outer Space.
Under the item on the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, states could conduct general exchange of views on the current and future challenges faced by outer space activities and the potential measures to enhance the long-term sustainability of outer space activities. Multi-year work could be carried out for voluntary implementation of the LTS guidelines and relevant LTS issues could be further studied, such as sharing information on space objects and orbital events.
Mr. Chairman,
China will, as always, participate in multilateral, regional and bilateral dialogue with a constructive attitude, work together with all states to study, discuss and promote the development of practice for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities in an effort to achieve long-term mutual benefits and win-win in the outer space by equitable, balanced, reasonable and feasible means of space governance. China is ready to work together with all states on the basis of equality and mutual benefits to build a human community of shared destiny in outer space and make new and bigger contributions towards a harmonious outer space and progress of human civilization.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.