Chinese astronaut calls for peaceful use of outer space

VIENNA, June 3 (Xinhua) -- China's first astronaut Yang Liwei on Wednesday called for peaceful development and use of outer space here at the 52nd plenary session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).

China's first astronaut Yang Liwei delivers a speech at the 52nd plenary session of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer  Space (COPUOS), in Vienna, capital of Austria, June 3, 2009. Yang Liwei  on Wednesday called for peaceful development and use of outer space here at the 52nd plenary session of COPUOS of the United Nations. The 52nd  session of COPUOS is being held from June 3 to June 12 at the UN office  in Vienna. (Xinhua/Liu Gang)

China believes space resources should be explored and used peacefully on the basis of equality and mutual benefits, mutual complementarity and mutual learning for the benefit of all mankind, Yang said.

"The Chinese government has always maintained that outer space is the shared wealth of all mankind and has consistently advocatedf or the peaceful exploration and use of outer space for the common good and benefit of all human beings," he said.