PARIS -- European and Chinese government officials on
April 7 agreed to create a joint steering group to oversee cooperation in space
projects including satellite navigation, telecommunications, Earth observation
and space exploration, the European Union’s executive commission
announced.
Chinese-European space cooperation already includes
joint work on commercial telecommunications satellites for China using European
technology, and joint development of science satellites. China also is expected
to play a part in Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation project, although a
specific role has yet to be decided.
The European Commission has permitted Chinese
researchers to take part in Europe’s Sixth Framework Program for Research, a
commission-funded multiyear research effort.
Meeting in Beijing April 7, high-level European
Commission and Chinese government officials said they would deepen their
cooperation in space by establishing a steering group with government and
industry representatives. The group will produce an annual report recommending
specific projects to the Chinese government and the European
Commission.
European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin led
the European delegation at the meeting. The Chinese delegation was headed by
Science and Technology Vice Minister Ma Songde, and Sun Laiyan, the vice
administrator for China’s National Space
Administration.
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