China hopes all countries would continue to strengthen open and inclusive international cooperation characterized by equality and mutual benefit and further improve related laws in outer space explorations, a Chinese diplomat told Xinhua.

Huang Huikang, director of the Department of Treaty and Law in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke about China's space policy as head of the Chinese delegation in Vienna attending the 54th session of United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) on June 1-10.

At the meeting, marking the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the COPUOS, China called for building a harmonious outer space to achieve inclusive development.

The notion of achieving the inclusive development of outer space has multiple connotations, Huang said. First, it implies tolerance for space environment, stressing the need to harmonize the exploration and use of outer space with space environment with an eye toward the sustainable development of outer space.

Second, it denotes tolerance for all countries. All countries, big or small, strong or weak, have equal rights to use the outer space in a peaceful manner.

Third, it contains tolerance for the entire mankind. Outer space exploration broadens people's vision and deepens mankind's self-understanding.

Speaking of current challenges, Huang said that as outer space explorations in the 21st century become increasingly commercialized and as outer space explorers diversify, China holds that in the next 50 years, the international community should be jointly dedicated to the inclusive development of outer space to benefit all, especially those countries and people that do not yet have space capabilities.

International cooperation is not only a product of the successful experience of human exploration and use of outer space, but also a basic guideline for directing the space activities of all countries, Huang said.

As outer space explorers diversify and the realm of outer space explorations expands, "we should involve more countries that do not yet have space capabilities in outer space development, so as to achieve sustainable and inclusive development of outer space," Huang said.

On the peaceful use of outer space, Huang said outer space law is an important instrument for safeguarding the harmonious development of the outer space, preventing its weaponization and realizing its sustainable development.

"All treaties, principles, and declarations established by the COPUOS have played an important role in regulating space activities, maintaining space order and promoting space cooperation, and they should guide all countries' outer space activities," Huang said.

Meanwhile, the commercialization of outer space activities and the risk of militarization of outer space require us to stipulate new space laws, improve the existing space law system so as to ensure the inclusive development of outer space, Huang said.

In the future, China will continue to uphold the notion of harmonious outer space and work with the international community to realize the inclusive development of outer space and "achieve peace, development, cooperation and rule of law in outer space."

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