China has begun gathering advice on its first proposed space law as the country faces the need to regulate its space research and activities, legal experts and officials said.

Qi Yongliang, an expert with the Chinese Institute of Space Law (CISL), told Xinhua recently that the official institution is working with government departments concerned to seek proposals and advice for the space law.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and China Space Technology Sciences Group are founding members of the CISL.

Experts with CISL have sought advice and proposals from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and space experts, and submitted some proposals for formulating the law to government departments concerned.

As one of the major space powers in the world, Qi said China needs a comprehensive space law to regulate its space research and activities.

Li Benzheng, vice-director of the Systems Engineering Department with the China National Space Administration, said China has been conducting exchanges with other countries on space law formulation and stepped up its research on formulating its own space law.

China is in the process of drafting regulations and rules on liability concerning space objects China launched and commercial space deals and international cooperation, said the vice-director.

China has launched the Long March vehicles for 76 times during the past few decades and conducted its first maiden manned space voyage last October.

Source: Xinhua