The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is a grand event and an influential platform for in-depth exchanges and promotion of multilateral cooperation in the international space field. As a supporter of multilateral space cooperation and an active contributor to the IAC, China has successfully held the 47th and 64th IAC conferences, and actively sent government delegations and organized experts and scholars to participate in the events held in other countries, so as to fulfill China’s international obligations, present space activities and policies, discuss space cooperation programs and strengthen international space exchanges and cooperation.

In the 69th IAC held in October 2018, more than 200 representatives from China National Space Administration (CNSA), related space entities, research institutes and academies attended the conference. Mr. ZHANG Kejian, Administrator of CNSA, announced that China would provide 10 kilograms of payload capacity for international partners on the Chang’E-6 orbiter and lander, for the promotion of international cooperation in the field of lunar and deep space exploration. On the Chang’E-4 mission, the world first soft landing on the far side of the moon, CNSA announced the cooperation opportunity to the international community and finally carried scientific payloads from Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Saudi Arabia on CE-4 mission, to jointly explore the unknown area of the moon.

Unfortunately, due to the visa issues, CNSA delegation and related experts could not attend the opening ceremony of the 70th IAC conference on October 21st as scheduled. Delegates including the current Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation(IAF), members of the sub-Committee on Satellite Commercial Application, the Space Transportation Committee etc., well-known experts and scholars have not yet obtained their visa and therefore failed to perform their duty, despite with their relevant positions at the IAF and the International Academy of Astronautics(IAA). The CNSA delegation’s absence to the opening ceremony and the plenary session of heads of space agencies due to the visa issue aroused questions and doubts to the U.S. side and a widespread concern in the international space community.

The Vice Administrator of CNSA and head of CNSA delegation to the 70th IAC, Mr. TIAN Yulong, did not receive his visa until the end of important multilateral activities of the conference. Nevertheless, CNSA delegation still made the trip to the U.S. to catch up with the rest of the activities, updated the Secretariat of the IAF with relevant situation, conducted bilateral exchanges and meetings with heads of space agencies, and attended relevant panel discussions, as a reflection of China’s strong support for the IAC, and the great sincerity in global multilateral space cooperation.

Exploring the vast cosmos is the common dream of all humankind. To this purpose, China always adheres to the consistent aim of peacefully exploring and utilizing the outer space to the benefits of the whole world. China is willing to cooperate with space administrative departments of governments, science and engineering communities on the basis of equality, mutual benefits, peaceful use and inclusive development for the exploration of the mysteries of the universe, a greater contribution to the advancement of human civilization and social development and the promotion of the well-being for all the people.