China said it will set up the Asia-Pacific Space Co-operation Organisation (APSCO) at the end of this year. Pakistan was one of the three first countries along with China and Thailand that had proposed the setting up of APSCO early 1992.
The establishment of APSCO is part of a major effort to promote joint space exploration, the chief of the China National Space Administration, Sun Laiyan said, adding that the organisation would focus on satellite applications and training.
Sun, delighted from the success of the country's first space walk on September 27, made the remarks at the 59th International Astronautical Congress held in Glasgow, Scotland, the state media here reported.
The organisation, already joined by nine countries - Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, Thailand and Turkey - welcomes the participation of more nations, Sun said. According to the convention of the APSCO, signed by these nine countries, the organisation aims to promote multilateral co-operation in space science and technology and regional economic and social development among Asia-Pacific nations.
Since space projects require huge financial input and research work, Sun appealed to countries to work together on the development of space resources. "China is willing to conduct international space co-operation on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and common development," Sun said.
Sun said China plans to develop a new generation of carrier rocket by 2013 and to research and develop spacecraft docking technologies. Elements of a space station will be in orbit by 2011 before a robotic landing is attempted on the Moon two years later.