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Shenzhou-VIII to carry bio sample for Europe

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-08 10:37

BEIJING -- China has agreed to carry a bio sample for the European Space Agency on the country's Shenzhou-VIII spacecraft, Zhang Jianqi, deputy chief commander of the manned space project, said here Sunday.

Workers hoist the orbital module of the manned spacecraft Shenzhou VII onto its showcase berth in Zhuhai, south China's Guangdong Province, October 30, 2008. [Xinhua]

"China is actively gearing up international cooperation in the field of manned space," Zhang told reporters on the sidelines of China's parliament annual session, citing the agreement with Europe as an example.

Related readings:  China plans to launch Shenzhou-8, Shenzhou-9 in 2011  Ship back from mission of tracking Shenzhou VII space flight  Shenzhou VII crew members awarded  Module of Shenzhou VII gets ready for exhibition

The country plans to launch the Shenzhou-VIII and Shenzhou-IX spacecraft in 2011, a former chief designer of the manned-space project said a day earlier.

Zhang stressed China welcomes and will continue cooperation with other countries in exploring the space, adding the country's space endeavors are always open to the outside.

"China will definitely work with the International Space Station, once the country sets up its own space station," said Zhang, a deputy to the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

He said it's necessary for astronauts to be able to offer mutual aid in case of emergency during their relatively long stay in the space.

"The Unites States and other countries have agreed to this and said they are willing to start such cooperation," he added.

Zhang said Thursday the country is selecting astronauts for the country's planned first space station.