(translation)Statement by the Chinese Delegation at the 64th Session of the UN COPUOS

中国代表团在联合国外空委第64届会议上的发言
http://www.chinesemission-vienna.at/chn/hyyfy/t1905177.htm (Chinese)

(DeepL translation)

Statement by the Chinese Delegation at the 64th Session of the UN COPUOS
2021/08/26
　　Mr. Chairman.

　　The Chinese delegation congratulates you on your election as Chair of this session and is confident that under your leadership, this session will be a success. China appreciates that the Secretariat led by Mr. Chairman and Ms. Simonetta di Pippo overcame the impact of the Newcastle Pneumonia epidemic to convene COPUOS, and that maintaining the continuity of the work of COPUOS is important for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. China supports the statement made by Costa Rica on behalf of the "Group of 77 and China".

　　Mr. Chairman.

　　This year marks the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the legal seat of the People's Republic of China in the United Nations, and over the past 50 years, China has actively upheld multilateralism and the international system with the United Nations at its core, and supported COPUOS as the main platform for global governance and international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. In the face of the development opportunities brought by the rapid development and dissemination of outer space technology, as well as the challenges in ensuring the long-term sustainability of outer space activities and regulating new types of outer space activities, China looks forward to working with all parties to uphold and practice genuine multilateralism, use COPUOS as an important platform to conduct extensive exchanges and dialogues, and enhance the role of space technology and applications in promoting the achievement of sustainable development goals.

　　China welcomes the reports of the 58th Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the 60th Legal Subcommittee, and that the new LTS Working Group should advance the three functions of developing new guidelines, exchanging implementation experiences, and enhancing awareness and capacity building in a balanced manner in accordance with the relevant decisions of COPUOS at its 62nd session. China is sorting out and studying new challenges to the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, while taking effective measures to voluntarily implement the adopted guidelines at the level of space activity regulation, space operations security and capacity building, relying on the Asia-Pacific Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education (China), affiliated to the United Nations, etc. to provide relevant training to participants from various countries. Fundamentally, expanding international cooperation and strengthening capacity building in space technology and applications are the basis for implementing the LTS guidelines and should be an important direction of COPUOS' work.

　　As space resource exploitation activities are moving from conception to reality, the relevant international legal framework needs to be urgently clarified, and the decision of the COPUOS Legal Subcommittee to establish a working group will help discuss and respond to this issue in a multilateralist manner. China expects the working group to start substantive work as soon as possible, adhere to the basic legal principles laid down in the Outer Space Treaty, develop rules for space resource activities step by step in a prudent manner, and promote space resource development activities in a legal and orderly manner that is conducive to the common interests of all countries.

　　Against the backdrop of the growing problem of low orbit congestion, the challenges posed by low-orbit giant satellite constellations at the technical and legal levels are receiving increasing attention. China supports more focused discussions on related issues in COPUOS or its subcommittees under appropriate topics to ensure that relevant activities are consistent with the sustainable use of orbits and frequencies and to maintain the accessibility of outer space.

　　"The Space 2030 agenda is in its final stages of development. The "Space 2030" agenda is an important document of COPUOS and should fully reflect the common interests of all parties in the peaceful exploration of outer space for the benefit of all mankind. China expects all parties to work in the same direction and to reach a consensus based on the results of the work of COPUOS, so that the Space 2030 agenda can be submitted to the General Assembly for consideration as scheduled.

　　Mr. Chairman.

　　China continues to vigorously promote international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space. In March this year, China and Russia jointly initiated the construction of an international lunar research station and welcomed interested international partners to participate in the design, development and implementation of the station. Since June, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have regularly exchanged Mars rover orbit data as part of an effort to ensure Mars orbit safety (safety). China has also cooperated well with Argentina, Pakistan, Namibia and ESA in the Chang'e 5 lunar exploration mission and the Tianwen 1 Mars exploration mission. "The Zhu Rong Mars rover has successfully completed the established roving mission from May to August this year, and will be followed by the implementation of expanded missions.

　　China's space station project is progressing according to schedule, with three astronauts sent into space on June 17 by the Shenzhou XII manned spacecraft, and twice on July 4 and August 20, and expected to stay in orbit for three months. China is working with relevant countries and the United Nations Department of Outer Space to promote the implementation of the first projects of the "China Space Station International Cooperation Program". This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first human space flight, and the commemoration of the pioneers contributes to the importance of human spaceflight and international cooperation. China thanks the Russian delegation for organizing the commemorative side event, which will be attended by China's first astronaut Yang Liwei.

　　In July 2020, the Beidou-3 global satellite navigation system was officially opened. In the past year, the Beidou-3 system has been operating stably and its performance has been steadily increasing, and it has provided services to more than 120 countries and regions around the world. Beidou, GPS, GLONASS and Galileo continue to carry out compatibility and interoperability coordination, and have established regular exchange platforms with a wide range of countries and regions.

　　In August this year, China, Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa signed the BRICS Agreement on Cooperation in Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation. The initiative, launched by the China National Space Administration in 2015, will form a "virtual constellation of remote sensing satellites" from existing satellites of BRICS countries, aiming to promote cooperation in satellite data sharing and help the countries concerned to jointly address challenges such as climate change and major natural disasters.

　　China continues to provide support to the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UNSPIDER), providing a total of RMB 2.85 million from 2019 to 2020 to support the daily operation of the UNSPIDER Beijing office and project implementation. China also provides monitoring services for disasters such as severe droughts in Afghanistan and floods in El Salvador to support the countries concerned in their fight against natural disasters.

　　Mr. Chairman.

　　China welcomes the continued expansion and influence of COPUOS and welcomes the applications for COPUOS membership submitted by Angola, Bangladesh and Slovenia, as well as the applications for observer status submitted by the DPRK, Guatemala, Panama, the Vatican, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), the Open Moon Foundation and the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO).

　　Maintaining the security of outer space and preventing the weaponization of and an arms race in outer space are fundamental safeguards to ensure the peaceful use of outer space. China is willing to continue to work hand in hand with other countries to contribute to the peaceful use of outer space, a common cause of mankind, and to realize the vision of a community of destiny.

　　Thank you, Mr. Chairman.