On the afternoon of September 25, Dr. Ma Xingrui, Administrator of China National Space Administration (CNSA), met with Mr. Eurico Saggese, President of Italian Space Agency (ASI). Both parties made deep exchanges on the space cooperation between China and Italy. After the meeting, both parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding between ASI and CNSA on Cooperation in the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES).

Ma said that since CNSA and ASI formally signed the space cooperation agreement in November 2011, both parties have made many communications and exchanges. He hoped that both parties will positively develop cooperation in such areas as Earth observation, launch and space transportation, and space science and exploration under the framework of the agreement, thus promote the space cooperation between China and Italy.

As for the CSES satellite, Ma hoped that, based on the signed MOU, both parties will further strengthen communications, positively implement the related content, clarify the follow-on work plans, and ensure the CSES program to go on smoothly as scheduled.

Saggese said that the cooperation between China and Italy has been fruitful in recent years, the signing of the MOU marked a new stage of the China-Italy space cooperation, and Italy will continue to strengthen the exchanges and cooperation with China based on this MOU.

The related personnel from the Department of System Engineering under CNSA, and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) attended the meeting.