Regional Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (China) (affiliated to the United Nations) was founded at Beihang University on November 17, 2014. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mr. Xu Dazhe, Deputy Minster of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and Administrator of China National Space Administration (CNSA), Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), representatives from seven member states of the Centre (Algeria, Bolivia, Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia, Venezuela and Peru) for the first meeting of the Governing Board, Party Secretary of Beihang University Mr. Hu Lingyun, the President of Beihang University Mr. Huai Jinpeng and the Vice President Mr. Tao Zhi. It was also attended by representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Environmental Protection, China Meteorological Administration, State Oceanic Administration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Manned Space Engineering Office，China Satellite Navigation Office, China Scholarship Council, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp., Peking University, Beijing Institute of Technology, Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization and Embassies of relevant countries. Before the inauguration ceremony began, Minister of MIIT Mr. Miao Wei met with representatives from member states of the Centre for the first meeting of the Governing Board. The ceremony was hosted by the Vice Administrator of CNSA Mr. Wu Yanhua.

As the first Chairperson of the Governing Board, Mr. Xu Dazhe signed the Cooperation Agreement Between the United Nations and the Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (China) (affiliated to the UN) at the ceremony with Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of UNOOSA, marking the official step of joining the Centre (affiliated to the United Nations). Afterwards Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo and Mr. Xu Dazhe unveiled the plaque for the Centre.

In an address to the ceremony, the President and academician Mr. Huai Jinpeng expressed that as the host institution of the Centre, with the strong support from the Chinese government and the guidance of UNOOSA, Beihang University would, fully utilize distinct disciplinary advantages and solid infrastructure for international education of Beihang University, and integrate advanced education resources from partners both at home and abroad to build a world-class institute for space science and technology education and an influential platform for the exchange and cooperation on space science and technology in this region. The Centre would, fulfill the need of exploiting and utilizing outer space for each country, enhance the education level and application capacity of space science and technology in its member states and other developing countries, and make substantial contribution to the implementation of Programme on Space Applications proposed by UN Committee on Peaceful Use of Outer Space (COPUOS).

On behalf of Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Mr. Xu Dazhe congratulated the Centre on its establishment in his address. He mentioned that China had been actively engaged in supporting work related to the UN Programme on Space Applications, especially the cooperation on space science and technology and educational training programme in Asia-Pacific region. The Centre would mobilize education resources from home and abroad in the field of space science and technology in order to enhance the education level of space science and technology in this region. He hoped this platform would help share Chinese experience in space exploration and bring benefits to the developing countries in Asia-Pacific region from the perspective of space technology.

In her speech, Ms. Simonetta Di Pippo suggested that UNOOSA was committed to promoting international cooperation on peaceful use and exploration of outer space. She also congratulated the Centre on its official affiliation to the United Nations and expressed her gratitude for the efforts China had made in building the Centre.

The Centre is one of the UN programmes on space applications under the leadership of UNOOSA, aiming at improving the application capacity of space science and technology in developing countries. Chinese government has been actively engaged in and supporting work related to UN Programme on Space Applications, especially the cooperation on space science and technology and educational training programmes in Asia-Pacific region. As the host institution of the Centre, Beihang University has actively engaged in the application and preparatory work, yielding fruitful results.

The Inauguration Ceremony was held during the first meeting of the Governing Board of the Centre. As the host institution, the Governing Board appointed the President of Beihang University and academician Mr. Huai Jinpeng as the Director of the Advisory Committee, Vice President Mr. Tao Zhi as the Director of the Centre, and Mr. Weng Jingnong from International School as the Deputy Director of the Centre. The Governing Board also reached decisions on important matters, including 2015 work plan and financial arrangement.