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New space body welcomes all

By Cui Xiaohuo (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-17 07:50

The Asia-Pacific region is open to all countries that want to jointly explore outer space, members of Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) said on Tuesday.

"I hope we can get more members This will happen soon if we allow other countries to benefit more from the organization," said Angsumal Sunalai, chairman of APSCO. The inauguration ceremony of the new seven-member regional space technology body was held at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing yesterday.

As one of the initiators of APSCO, China welcomes more Asia-Pacific countries to join the organization, and nations outside the region to become associate members, said Li Yizhong, minister of industry and information technology.

The inter-governmental organization evolved from the Asia Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications, which was initiated by China, Pakistan and Thailand in 1992. The new body includes Iran, Peru, Bangladesh and Mongolia.

Indonesia and Turkey agreed to the previous organization's convention in 2005, and could soon become full APSCO members.

Chinese achievements such as the Shenzhou manned space missions and the Chang'e moon orbiter have immensely helped the fast pace of space technology development in the region, said Sunalai, who is also the Thai minister for science and technology.

Speaking of space technology powerhouses in the region that have not yet joined APSCO, experts said their membership would help joint research.

"Outer space is not far anymore. I hope countries like Japan, Russia, Australia, and the US could join the organization," said Suthi Aksornkitti, member of Thailand's space development committee.

"By joining APSCO, countries can make full use of their investments in space," he said. One example of joint research is the explorer satellite, which was co-designed by Iran, Thailand and China and launched from Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, on Sept 6.