The 9th ESA (European Space Agency)-China Space Science Bilateral Meeting kicked off in Palermo, Italy on May 2, 2013. Chinese delegation headed by YIN Hejun, vice president of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) attended the meeting.

YIN delivered a speech at the opening ceremony stressing the importance of the ESA-China bilateral cooperative mechanism. “Up to now, eight bilateral seminars have been held under the joint effort of ESA and CAS. It provides a solid platform for space science scientists from both sides and enhances the bilateral exchange of ideas as well as future cooperation in space science activity.”

The ESA delegation introduced their ongoing space science programs and WU Ji, director general of National Space Science Center (NSSC), introduced CAS’s Strategic Pioneer Program on Space Science, followed by an action report of the 8th ESA-China bilateral meeting by WANG Chi, deputy general of NSSC.

Both parties discussed in detail the joint call for a cooperative space science satellite mission and reached an in-depth understanding of further actions. A minute was signed by both parties to promote further cooperation in the upcoming year.

The ESA-China Space Science Bilateral Meeting was initiated by ESA and China in 2004 when Mr. JIANG Mianheng, former vice president of CAS, visited the headquarters of ESA and was received by David Southwood, science director of ESA. Both parties reached a consensus to establish a regular consultative mechanism in the field of space science.

The 10th ESA-China Space Science Bilateral Meeting will be held in China in 2014.