【September 10, 2014, CMSP News】The 27th Planetary Congress of the Association of Space Explorers (ASE) opened in Beijing on September 10. The six-day conference bears the theme "Cooperation: To Realize Humanity's Space Dream Together." Nearly 100 astronauts from 18 nations participated in the conference. Ma Kai, Vice Premier of State Council of China and Niu Hongguang, Deputy Chief Commander of China Manned Space Program (CMSP) attended the opening ceremony and made addresses.
 

 Figure: ASE 27th Planetary Congress Opening Ceremony(Taken by Qin Xian'an)

Ma Kai expressed congratulations on the opening of the conference on behalf of Chinese government and extended warm welcome to the astronauts and guests. He stressed, "Exploring and making full use of outer space is a right shared by all countries. China takes it as a basic principle to peacefully utilize space resources to promote human development. China holds that we should enhance international cooperation and exchanges to promote the development of manned space flight and benefit all human beings on the basis of mutual benefits, peaceful utilization of space and common development. The Chinese government is pleased to cooperate with the international community to facilitate technological advances, maintain a peaceful and clean outer space and contribute to scientific and civilization development of mankind."

Niu Hongguang paid tribute to ASE and all the astronauts for their contributions in exploring space. He revealed that at present, China's manned space flight has entered a new phase, in which a manned space station will be constructed. The Chinese space station, which is estimated to complete in 2022, will provide a cooperation platform and a stage for all space flight personnel. "China is willing to join hands with the international community to promote cooperation and exchanges, and contribute to the peaceful utilization of space and the improvement of space flight technology," he said.

Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, President of ASE and former Romanian astronaut also addressed the conference on behalf of ASE. He made an introduction of ASE. Founded in 1985, the Association of Space Explorers (ASE), as an international nonprofit professional organization, has been joined by nearly 400 astronauts and cosmonauts from 35 nations. He said, "The association intends to contribute to a better human understanding, peaceful cooperation, flight into space, and the peaceful use of space."

The opening ceremony is hosted by Yang Liwei, Deputy Director of China Manned Space Agency and President of the Organizing Committee of this year's annual meeting. An astronaut from Saudi Arabia Sultan bin Salman was awarded. Outstanding Member Prize. Besides, during the opening ceremony, all the participants mourned for the nine astronauts who have died in the past year.

The 27th Planetary Congress of ASE will last until September 15. The conference also includes one keynote meeting and three technical sessions. During the conference, the astronauts will tour around Beijing Space City and visit cities of Shenzhen, Tianjin, Xi'an to interact with the youth and the technical researchers. (By Yu Yanjuan)