Xiongan, October 23, Xinhua News Agency
China’s position on strengthening outer space governance
Outer space is a new domain and new home for human survival and development. Exploring the vast universe and peacefully using outer space is the common ideal of all mankind. It is not only related to the economic construction, scientific and technological development, national security and social progress of all countries, but also the common welfare of all mankind. The results of outer space exploration should benefit all countries.
With the advancement of aerospace science and technology and its widespread application, the frequency, density, and depth of outer space exploration, development, and utilization activities have increased explosively, and the lag of the current international legal system in the outer space field has gradually emerged. The problem of unbalanced and inadequate development of outer space capabilities among countries is prominent. The rights of developing countries to obtain space science and technology are restricted, which affects the realization of sustainable development goals. There are diverse entities in outer space, day-to-day supervision issues are prominent, and security risks continue to rise. The risks of an arms race in outer space and the trend of becoming a battlefield have become the biggest threats and challenges facing outer space security. Strengthening global governance of outer space is an urgent issue facing mankind and a common responsibility of all countries.
In this context, China advocates practicing the common values of all mankind as its fundamental compliance, pursuing sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating a people-oriented approach, and focusing on action orientation. We should attach equal importance to outer space development and security, as well as outer space stability and sustainability, and promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind in the outer space field to benefit all mankind.
1. Adhere to openness and sharing. Adhering to the principle that "outer space is the common territory of mankind", countries are encouraged to provide public goods and services in outer space and promote the results of outer space exploration to benefit all mankind. Implement the United Nations Space 2030 Agenda, pay attention to the capacity building and application needs of developing countries in the field of outer space, and actively carry out joint research, technical cooperation, personnel training and other projects. Accelerate the transformation of aerospace technology achievements into people's livelihood fields, and deepen the in-depth integration of disaster prevention and reduction, emergency rescue, climate change response and other fields with aerospace technology.
2. Respect the rights of all countries. Safeguard the rights of all countries to have fair access to outer space, explore and use outer space without discrimination, and oppose the use of outer space to engage in actions that endanger the national sovereignty, security, and development interests of other countries. Respect the sovereignty, security and other legitimate rights and interests of all countries' outer space assets, outer space activities and personnel.
3. Abide by international rule of law. Maintain the international order in outer space based on international laws such as the Outer Space Treaty, ensure the equal and uniform application of international law, and develop relevant international laws and rules on the basis of broad consensus. We must persist in exploring and using outer space for peaceful purposes and oppose the weaponization and battlefield use of outer space. It opposes a country's abuse of its domestic laws to erect obstacles or impose unilateral sanctions on other countries' outer space activities.
4. Promote innovation and development. Support the development of space scientific research and technological innovative applications such as orbital maintenance, deep space exploration, and near-Earth asteroid defense, strengthen academic exchanges, talent training, and infrastructure construction to better serve economic and social development. Encourage and support various entities such as scientific research institutions, enterprises, colleges and universities, and social groups to participate extensively in outer space exploration and innovation in accordance with laws and regulations under national supervision.
5. Maintain common security. We adhere to the principle of indivisibility of outer space security and reiterate that the security interests of all countries in outer space are interdependent. Any country should take into account the legitimate security concerns of other countries when pursuing its own outer space security. Adhering to the principles of orderliness, comprehensiveness, balanced interests, and self-restraint, we must build consensus through dialogue and cooperation, form a comprehensive management plan for outer space security, and maintain peace and stability in outer space.
6. Prevent armed conflict. We oppose the adoption of offensive outer space military policies and do everything possible to prevent an arms race in outer space. Reaffirm the principle of not using or threatening the use of force in international relations, preventing the use or threat of use of force against outer space objects, and avoiding armed conflicts in outer space. Support the negotiation and conclusion of international legal instruments on outer space control.
7. Reduce misunderstandings and misjudgments. Take appropriate and feasible transparency and confidence-building measures to enhance mutual trust and reduce miscalculation. Countries are encouraged to strengthen dialogue on outer space security, communicate information on outer space strategic policies and outer space activities, carry out necessary notifications on space launches, collision risk warnings, space object re-entry and debris fall, and effectively fulfill international obligations to register space object information. Strengthen crisis prevention and management.
8. Standardize commercial aerospace. While encouraging the development of the outer space economy, a national regulatory system should be established and improved to ensure that commercial aerospace companies strictly abide by relevant domestic and international laws when conducting outer space activities and do not infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of other countries, especially to avoid illegal interference in other countries’ armed conflicts and internal affairs.
9. Deepen international cooperation. Adhere to the orientation of action and transform the consensus on international cooperation in aerospace into pragmatic actions for all countries to jointly promote aerospace development. Promote international exchanges and cooperation in the fields of space science, space technology and space applications, oppose discriminatory policies and barriers, and support the establishment of bilateral, multilateral and regional cooperation mechanisms. Strengthen international coordination and cooperation in key areas such as space transportation and debris mitigation.
10. Promote global governance. We should adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits among all countries, and maintain the status of the United Nations as the main channel in global governance on outer space. We encourage other multilateral mechanisms and professional institutions to play a constructive role within their functional scope, avoid any discriminatory and exclusive arrangements, and enhance the representation and voice of developing countries. Promote the establishment of an open, fair and effective governance mechanism based on universal participation.
