The third Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN regional forum workshop on space security kicked off on Monday in Beijing.
Co-hosted by China, Laos, Russia and the United States, the two-day workshop has drawn more than 20 countries including ASEAN members, Japan and Australia.
Hundreds of delegates and representatives from the UN and regional organizations as well as international think tanks will discuss issues on the outer space policies and military control.
Chinese vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Li Baodong delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, saying the outer space should become a new area for international cooperation instead of an arena full of friction.
“It is the first time for China to host the Space Security Workshop within the framework of the ASEAN regional forum with Russia, the United States and ASEAN members. I believe the workshop will help the countries in the region build consensus on maintaining space security, peaceful use of the outer space and making contributions to healthy development,” Li Baodong said.
Li said that “as a space power, china has always advocated peaceful use of the outer space, opposing weaponization and arms race in the outer space.”