Sino-UK space technology cooperation discussed in Ningbo

China has moved forward its cooperation with the United Kingdom in the aerospace field, with the 13th UK-China Workshop on Space Science and Technology recently held in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province.

The workshop, lasting from Dec 11 to 13, was attended by nearly 200 experts and government officials from the two countries, including officials from the China National Space Administration and the UK Space Agency. 

They had in-depth discussions on eight topics including trade and policy, space exploration and emerging space technologies, and set out a work plan over the course of 2019 for the Sino-UK (NLAA-RAL) Space Science & Technology Joint Laboratory, which was established by the two countries in 2007. 

Tian Yulong, deputy director of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence, noted the sound partnership between China and UK in the field and hoped that both sides would strengthen cooperation at government, university and research institution levels in the future.

Danae Dholakia, minister-counsellor of the British embassy in China, also emphasized the importance of Sino-UK cooperation in science. 

"The core element of the future partnership between China and UK must be cooperation and innovation, which will also lay a solid foundation for mutual growth and for both sides to tackle the global challenges of the industry," said Dholakia. 

The two countries' cooperation on space science and technology began in 2005 when a framework agreement was inked between them in this regard, and the UK-China Workshop on Space Science and Technology was initiated. 

In addition to the UK, China has developed partnerships with many other European countries over the years in areas such as space science, lunar exploration, and manned space flight. It has also established a multi-layer cooperation mechanism with the European Space Agency.