China's help in peaceful use of space lauded

VIENNA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- China's rapid development in space technology is of help to the United Nations' effort in pushing for the peaceful use of outer space, the director-general of the United Nations Office in Vienna said on Thursday.

Antonio Maria Costa also expressed his appreciation of China's proposal for a peaceful outer space in talks with the Chinese delegation participating in the 52nd session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) on Thursday.

Chinese delegate Wang Wenbao, who is the director of the office of China's manned spaceflight, said China's space industry "is peaceful and open," and the country is willing to cooperate and communicate actively with the other countries around the world.

Costa stressed that the peaceful use of outer space was an issue concerning the whole world, and international cooperation was very important.

Mazlan Othman, head of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs also attended the meeting.

The 52nd session of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space is being held from June 3-12.