Mr. Chair,
China aligns itself with the statement delivered by Morocco on behalf of the G77 and China.
The Chinese delegation appreciates your extensive efforts in organizing this session and is confident that, under your guidance, the session will be a complete success. We also extend our gratitude to Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, Director of UNOOSA, and her team for their diligent preparations.
Mr. Chair,
April 24 this year marked the 10th "China Space Day" and the 55th anniversary of the launch of China’s first satellite, “Dongfanghong-1”. On that day China successfully launched the “Shenzhou-20” manned spacecraft and demonstrated the important new progress of its space endeavors.
Today, space technology is reshaping humanity’s exploration of the cosmos at an unprecedented pace. From revolutionary satellite communications to precision global navigation, from deep-space exploration to commercial spaceflight, these breakthroughs expand human horizons while presenting new governance challenges. Such as, how can existing legal frameworks adapt to emerging activities like space resource utilization? How can we ensure space activities benefit all nations amid growing technological disparities? What roles should governments and non-governmental entities play?
China believes the international community must uphold true multilateralism, reject unilateralism and bullying practices in all forms, and reinforce the role of the Legal Subcommittee (LSC) and Scientific & Technical Subcommittee (STSC) of the UN COPUOS. We must adhere to the fundamental principles of space law established by the Outer Space Treaty, strengthen international cooperation on the peaceful use of outer space and continuously improve global space governance.
Mr. Chair,
Strengthening the rule of law in outer space is essential for improving global governance. As a responsible major country, China consistently upholds the international order based on space law, fulfills its obligations under space treaties in good faith, actively promotes the rule of law in outer space, and advances the improvement of global space governance.
International cooperation is a fundamental principle enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty. Guided by the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, China actively engages in international space cooperation, sharing its achievements with the world. The first batch of international experiments selected in collaboration with UNOOSA are now underway aboard the China Space Station. In February this year, China and Pakistan signed an agreement to train a Pakistani astronaut for a future mission to the station, the first foreign astronaut will soon be welcome aboard. In addition, 17 countries and international organizations, along with over 50 research institutions, have joined the International Lunar Research Station initiative. On "China Space Day," China also announced a Mars exploration cooperation project, inviting interested nations, organizations, and partners to participate.
Mr. Chair,
International exchanges on space law are vital for strengthening the rule of law in this domain.
China commends UNOOSA’s efforts in this regard, including the annual UN Conference on Space Law and Policy and the Space Law for New Space Actors program, which have significantly contributed to enhancing legal awareness and capacity-building, particularly for emerging space nations. China actively participates in these initiatives.
China places great importance on fostering international dialogue on space law. In April this year, we hosted a series of international seminars on space law and policy, bringing together experts, scholars, and government officials from various countries to discuss pressing legal issues and forthcoming topics. We thank Ms. Aarti Holla-Maini, Permanent Representatives of South Africa and Kenya to Vienna, and Chair of the Scientific & Technical Subcommittee (STSC), for attending these events in China and sharing their insights, which greatly contributed to their success.
China looks forward to engaging intensively in discussions on all agenda items during this session. We remain committed to making greater contributions to the peaceful use of outer space and global governance, fostering a community with a shared future in outer space, and ensuring that space exploration will benefit all humanity—especially the people of the Global South.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.