Opening speech by EU Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin
on April 7, 2004
I am delighted to have this chance to speak in front of you
today. I would first like to take this opportunity to thank our
hosts and specifically Mr. Songde, Vice Minister of Science and
Technology and Mr. Sun Laiyan, Vice Administrator of the China
National Space Administration.
I also appreciate the interest expressed by representatives from
the European and Chinese space organizations and industry who have
joined us for this timely and important event.
Relations between China and Europe go back a long way. Over
time, they have evolved in constructive and meaningful sectorial
cooperation.
Today we are here to formally assess the feasibility to
establish a new dialogue between China and Europe on Space.
The first contacts regarding space activities between Europe and
China actually date back to the late 1970s. In 1993, Europe began
cooperating with Chinese research and space institutions; the
recent success of the Double Star Program that CNSA has
successfully led with the support of ESA appears to be a good
illustration.
The remains room for improvement, to build upon the previous
fragmented experiences.
The stakes are great, but only equalled by the opportunities
that are opening to us today.
Indeed, the presence of the various European actors today at the
workshop confirms the interest to set up an overarching
dialogue.
Europe, through the European Union and ESA, considers this
partnership central and necessary.
Successful collaborations in space have already proved to be
"win-win" situations, and more must be done to develop our
ties.
I believe this visit is important, or should I say timely, in
many respects.
First, because the People's Republic of China has recently
reached new boundaries in space by successfully sending a first man
in space.
Second, because the December launch of the Double Star satellite
has illustrated how Europe and China can successfully work
together.
Finally, because the European space landscape has greatly
evolved this passed year.
Recent Chinese success in space
The People's Republic of China will soon celebrate 50th
anniversary of the birth of its space program (1956). And there is
much to mention in our country's successes: from the
"Dongfanghong-I" satellite (1970) to more recent successes in
scientific, earth observation, navigation and telecommunications
efforts such as the successful launch of Shenzhou.
The cement of Sino-European cooperation in
space
China has set out an ambitious program for its space activities,
where applications as well as science play a key role, and where
industry is appropriately regarded as a cornerstone of national
efforts to modernize and support a flourishing and competitive
economy.
The aims of this space policy, as described in your November
2000 White Paper, are largely in accordance with our own policy
orientations in Europe:
- space applications that will have a positive impact on our
citizen's welfare, meeting their demands, and supporting our
economies.
- space exploration like the European AURORA program that
stimulates technology development and scientific knowledge.
This can be the cement of our future partnership.
Europe and China have concluded, in 1998, the S/T Agreement,
which opened cooperation schemes and financing through our
Framework Programs.
Although this Agreement is approaching the end of this initial
term, I am convinced that we will renew and reinforce this
partnership even further.
Another significant field, of course, is our cooperation on
Galileo. The signing in September 2003 of a Framework Agreement
between China and the European Union on its participation to the
Galileo program is yet another confirmation of the reinforced links
between Europe and China in space.
Concrete joint validation campaigns have started.
With respect to earth observation, Chinese research institutions
(University and Academy of Science) and the European Commission
services already cooperate on forest monitoring, global land cover
and oceanography.
Recent European space policy developments:
You are already aware that the European Union and with the
technical support of the European Space Agency has issued a White
Paper on the development of an extended space policy for
Europe.
In many respects, I believe this evolution was necessary and
that the White Paper is just a first step.
ESA will act as an implementing agency for the development and
procurement of the space and ground segments associated with such
initiatives; this agency will also provide the European Union with
access to the relevant technical expertise available in Europe,
though the coordination of the development and operation of an
integrated network of technical centers.
The Commission will represent the authority establishing the
necessary political, international and regulatory conditions for
space activities, in line with and in support of EU policies; act
as an animator to catalyse research and development efforts of all
European actors.
It will bring together all actors and competencies around common
political objectives in projects of a European-wide interest
(concretely articulated in initiatives with a Community dimension
such as GALILEO or GMES).
ESA will be responsible for the supply side, and the EU for the
demand side of European space activities.
The White paper on space is a central policy document as
it:?
?- Calls for increased budgetary efforts, based on programs
for the benefits of European citizens;
?- Sets the course for a European Space Program and urgent
initiatives: access to space, bridging the Digital Divide, GMES,
Galileo, Science, etc.
?- Opens the door for more security applications.
?- Calls for international cooperation.
To implement the White Paper, the European Community and ESA
have recently concluded a Famework Agreement.
This document sets the legal basis for the institutional
cooperation between the different actors in Europe in support of
the implementation of the first phase of the White Paper.
Regarding telecommunication technologies, the aim is:?
?- to support relevant EU policies and the international
community's commitments in the context of the World Summit on
Information Society;
?- to use Information and Communication Technologies to
"turn the digital divide into a digital opportunity for all".
In this sense, Europe is deeply committed to the principles that
were adopted at the last World Summit on information Society in
Geneva and more specifically to guarantee one's ability to access
in order to build an inclusive Information Society.
I believe that this is one of the foremost challenges Europe and
the world will face in this dawning Millennium and could actually
find a first practical application in China with, for example, the
country-wide broadcast of next Olympic Games for all citizens to
enjoy.
What the future holds
The EU will present by the end of the year, a European Space
Program.
Before concluding let me again emphasise the importance of
Europe and China working together on earth-related space
applications such as Earth Observation (specifically with respect
to natural disaster management and desertification), to which the
upcoming Dragon Symposium is a testimony, as well as in satellite
communications.
Finally, the European Commission, together with the GEO Summit
to be held in Brussels in February 2005, will organise an
international space conference gathering all space-faring nations
in order for us to introduce the objectives of the European Space
Program and in order to discuss cooperation possibilities with
third parties. I would personally invite you to examine how China
could contribute concretely to that event.
Conclusion
There is no question that space is a dream shared by everyone
around the world. It is its strength, and our pledge as
decision-makers must be that space shall remain a sphere of
peaceful cooperation, for the benefit of all, as our Sino-European
relations have already demonstrated. It is time for us to take this
cooperation further. I remain confident that we will.
(China.org.cn April 7, 2004)