Four zebrafish brought into orbit by the Shenzhou-18 spaceflight mission are in stable condition after being transferred to a lab module aboard the China Space Station on Friday morning, according to an institute responsible for the experiment.
The experiment is the country's in-orbit aquatic ecological research project, performed in cooperation with the Institute of Hydrobiology and the Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Using zebrafish and goldfish algae to establish a self-cycling aquatic ecosystem in orbit, the project aims to make a breakthrough in the cultivation of vertebrates in space.
After being transferred to the Wentian laboratory module on the space station, the zebrafish exhibited positive signs of health following a brief adaptation period.
The Shenzhou-18 spaceship was launched at 20:59 Thursday (Beijing Time) from the northwest China's Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Zebrafish enter orbit on China Space station, in stable condition
China and France have issued four joint statements and signed multiple cooperation documents to promote all-round communication and cooperation.
The four statements, released during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to France from May 5 to 7, cover areas of Middle East issues, AI & global governance, biodiversity & ocean, and agricultural cooperation.
In the joint statement on the Middle East situation, China and France, both the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, condemn all violations of international humanitarian law, including all acts of terrorist violence and indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
The two heads of state called for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, ensuring the provision of large-scale humanitarian aid in Gaza and protecting the civilians as the pressing tasks. And they urged all parties to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions, said the joint statement.
President Xi and President Macron also expressed support for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, recognizing it as the path towards lasting peace.
In addition, the two heads of state reiterated support for diplomatic efforts to address the Iran nuclear issue, and emphasized the importance of maritime safety in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
They call for observing an Olympic Truce during the 2024 Summer Games as an opportunity for conflict resolution while respecting international law.
In the joint statement on protecting biodiversity and marine ecosystems, China and France reiterated their commitments to realizing the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, as well as other environmental conventions they participate in, said the statement.
China and France are committed to protecting and restoring marine ecosystems and marine biodiversity to boost environmental multilateralism, and call on other countries to do the same, according to the statement.
The two countries are also committed to fighting against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and enhancing management in such areas, said the statement.
The joint statement said the two sides vow to reduce marine pollution, and realize the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, which addresses the key challenges of ocean health.
In the joint statement on AI and global governance, China and France said the two countries believe it is crucial to boost AI development and security, and to push for suitable global governance.
The statement said the two countries realize the risks brought by the rapid development of AI technology and intend to take measures to contain such risks.
The statement also stressed the importance of international cooperation on the basis of respecting national sovereignty and international security and stability.
In November 2023, China and France signed the Bletchley Declaration, the first international agreement in the AI field. The joint statement said China is willing to attend the AI Safety Summit hosted by France in 2025, and invites France to attend this year's world artificial intelligence conference to be held in China.
The two countries also issued a joint statement on agricultural cooperation, vowing to boost joint efforts in the wine industry and poultry.
China and France will also further cooperate in farming and exchanges of young talents, said the statement.
China, France issue joint statements on Middle East, AI & global governance, biodiversity & ocean, agricultural cooperation
