Representatives from a dozen nations and United Nations organizations on Wednesday passed the constitution of the proposed Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), which is designed to promote the peaceful use of space resources and space applications in the Asia-Pacific region.

Luo Ge, director of the Foreign Affairs Department of the China National Space Administration, said APSCO will be set up once five or more of the countries formally approve the constitution.

He predicted the organization would be set up next year, and it has been unanimously agreed the group will be based in Beijing.

The group will be open to new applicants during the two years after its founding on condition the applicants accept the constitution and shoulder their due responsibility, and after the period, the application for entry into APSCO must be approved by all members of the organization, Luo said.

Among those attending the Second Meeting of the Drafting Group on the APSCO Convention are representatives from Bangladesh, Brazil, China, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Iran, Malaysia, Mongolia, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Pakistan, Ukraine, Chile, the UN Economic and Social Council and a UN office in charge of outer space affairs.

Brazil and other countries outside the Asia-Pacific Region came as observers, and it has been agreed that the proposed APSCO will be based in Beijing.

Members of the proposed organization have agreed to strengthen exchange and cooperation in space technology under the principle of mutual benefit and equality, in a bid to promote peaceful exploration and use of space resources for the progress and common development of humankind.

Zhang Yunchuan, minister in charge of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, said the Chinese government will, as always, support the establishment of the organization at an earlier date, make due contributions and facilitate its work in various aspects.

According to Luo, also secretary-general of the Asia-Pacific Multilateral Cooperation in Space Technology and Applications, said that countries interested in joining the proposed organization intend to make use of space technology for environmental protection, disaster reduction, resources exploration, construction, telecommunications and distance education.

China, Thailand and Pakistan initiated multilateral cooperation in 1992 in space technology and applications in the Asia-Pacific Region, and substantial breakthroughs have been made in the past decade in the bid to set up APSCO, Luo said.

Seven countries, China, Thailand, Pakistan, the ROK, Mongolia, Bangladesh and Iran, launched a program in 1994 to develop a multi- purpose small satellite, which is expected to be sent into space in 2005, he said, adding that the satellite will be used for observation of the earth and for telecommunications.

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