On April 22nd, 2017, Madam Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA and six (6) permanent representatives to United Nations at Vienna (Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines and South Africa) visited Beihang University accompanied by Mr. Wu Yanhua, Vice Administrator of CNSA and Mr. Xu Hong, Director-General of Department of Treaty and Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. Mr. Xu Huibin, President of Beihang University welcomed the UN delegation at the conference room No. 8 of the conference center in New Main Building, Beihang University. Representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, China National Space Administration, CMSEO, International Division of Beihang University, International School of Beihang University, teachers and participants of RCSSTEAP attended the welcome meeting. It was hosted by Ms. Yu Qi, Deputy Director-General of Department of International Cooperation, CNSA.
Mr. Wu Yanhua, Vice Administrator of CNSA and Mr. Xu Huibin, President of Beihang University delivered welcome speeches respectively.
Mr. Wu Yanhua gave a brief introduction about the brilliant achievements of China Space in the last sixty (60) years and plan for the next five years. He noted that Chinese government expected to the principles of equality, mutual benefit and inclusive development when it comes to international cooperation in space. Presently, China has established more than one hundred (100) agreements with nearly forty(40) countries in space cooperation. In the future, we would like to seek extensive international cooperation in research development and applications including the launch of satellite and spacecraft, manned spaceflight, space exploration, education, etc. I also would like to take this opportunity to convey message to the international community as you came in peace as messengers from Vienna. In addition, please also conveyed the message that we would like to use the outer pace for peaceful purposes and also for the benefit of humanity as our goal all the time.
Mr. Xu Huibin briefly introduced the development and achievements of Beihang University in recent years. He said that the UN Regional Centre in China was established at Beihang University with the support of the Chinese Government in November 2014. It was a great honor for Beihang to take on this responsibility as the host institution of the Centre and would like to use this opportunity to thank UNOOSA and the Chinese government for their trust and support. Looking back on the past two years, Beihang University has cultivated about one hundred (100) master and doctoral degree students in the field of space technology applications for the member states of the Centre and other developing countries. In addition, ten (10) short training programmes have been successfully held, in which more than four hundred (400) participants from fifty (50) countries have participated. He also stated that a new school named BeiDou Belt & Road School had been established at Beihang University this year. This is in line with a development strategy started by the Chinese government-the "Belt and Road Initiative", which would also promote further development of the Centre. In addition, a first class BeiDou education and research platform will be built through collaboration with leading universities in the Belt and Road countries, aiming at nurturing more graduates with proficient expertise and cutting-edge skills in Global Navigation Satellite System for developing countries. In the future, undergraduate programme will be launched at Beihang University, and international outstanding students are welcomed to study here.
Ms. Jiang Hui, Division Director of Department of International Cooperation, CNSA gave an introduction to China space international exchanges and cooperation. Mr. Weng jingnong, Dean of International School, Beihang University gave an introduction to the UN Regional Centre in China (RCSSTEAP).
Madam Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA, said that although the UN Regional Centre in China was the latest one among all the six Regional Centres, it was the best out of the six Centres in terms of management, organization, perspective, vision, etc. She expressed her thanks to Chinese government and Beihang University for their positive dedication to the development of the Centre and the talent cultivation of space science and technology all the long. In addition, she hoped that the Centre could have more cooperation with UNOOSA and engage in Open Universe Initiative and Space for Women Project in the future. Representatives from different countries also expressed their will to make a greater contribution to the sustainable development of space science and technology for the benefit of all humankind.
Mr. Xu Huibin then presented gifts to the visiting guests. It was a drawing named“The First Bold Attempt of Manned Space Flight by Wan Hu” by Dr. Gong Haoqin from Department Industrial Design, Beihang University.
After the welcome meeting, the delegation visited RCSSTEAP located on the fifth floor of International School, Beihang University. Madam Simonetta Di Pippo and other representative admired the management, facility and environment construction of the Center.
The UN delegation was at the invitation of the Chinese government to visit China space facilities and watch the launch of Tianzhou-1 cargo spacecraft at Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on April 20th. On April 22nd, the delegation visited Chinese astronaut training facilities, manned spacecraft, Chang’e satellite assembly test facilities, real-time monitoring and application system of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in Beijing Space City and got a better understanding of China aerospace development.
