Chinese expert urges formulation of space laws

China should speed up formulating laws to regulate growing activities in space, a Chinese law expert said Friday in Beijing.

The United Nations has established a group of treaties and agreements to regulate space activities based on the common interests of mankind in space, free exploration and utilization, said Li Juqian, associate professor with the University of Political Science and Law.

China has joined in these international treaties and agreements and is carrying out its space activities in line with them. However, so far China has no domestic laws in this field, Li said.

Many countries have their own space laws. China should set up relevant laws as its space exploration accelerates, he said.

Domestic laws should safeguard national interests in space exploration while being based on international regulations, Li said, suggesting that the first step is to specify legal responsibilities in the activities.

The laws should protect private investment in the aerospace sector as more private parties enter space-related businesses, he added.

Li also recommended seeking theoretical and material support for China's space law formulation by learning from other countries, and initiating a special publication for academic exchanges and research in space.

Source: Xinhua