国内英语资讯:Xinhua Headlines: China, EU on path of expanding cooperation in outer space_时事

国内英语资讯:Xinhua Headlines: China, EU on path of expanding cooperation in outer space

"The CSS belongs not only to China, but also to the world," said Shi Zhongjun, China's ambassador to the UN and other international organizations in Vienna.

The CSS, expected to be launched by 2019 and operational by 2022, will be the world's first space station that is developed by a developing country and open for cooperation with all UN member states.

Jan Woerner, director general of the ESA, told Xinhua that the ESA welcomes more cooperation with China's space program, and several European astronauts are now learning Chinese in preparation.

China and the EU signed an agreement in 2017 concerning cooperation in a manned space program, stipulating that the period from 2017 to 2017 was the stage of technological exchanges, and the two sides taking part in each other's astronaut training programs.

Matthias Maurer, an ESA astronaut of German nationality, told Xinhua that he had studied Chinese for over six years.

After participating in a sea survival training program in waters off the coast of Yantai in east China's Shandong Province, organized by the Astronaut Center of China in 2017, Maurer hopes to work with astronauts from China and other countries at the CSS.

WIN-WIN RESULTS

China's achievements and openness in outer space explorations have been welcomed worldwide and are believed to produce win-win results.

China's opening its CSS will reinforce international cooperation for the peaceful use of outer space, said Simonetta Di Pippo, director of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs.