China will strengthen collaboration with international partners in deep space exploration, said the China National Space Administration (CNSA) who released the lists of scientists authorized to join its lunar research as well as the invitation for its Mars sample-return mission on Thursday.
At a ceremony for Space Day of China held in Shanghai on Thursday, CNSA announced the results for loan of lunar samples returned by China's Chang'e-5 mission. A total of seven institutions from six countries gained the access. Five of them signed the loan agreement on site.
In addition, 10 moon exploration related projects were selected as the collaborative programs for Chang'e-8 mission.
"The event mainly focused on the distribution of samples from Chang'e-5 mission to international applicants. [Previously,] we invited experts to conduct a series of screenings on applications regarding their experimental schemes' scientificity and advanced level. Approved research and development institutions are able to gain the access to Chinese lunar samples. Currently, researches on lunar samples have entered a 'Chang'e era'," said Guan Feng, director of China National Space Administration’s Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center.
Meanwhile, CNSA announced opportunities for international cooperation on the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission, inviting global partners to jointly advance Mars exploration and research, thereby expanding humanity's understanding of the red planet.
The agency also added that the Tianwen-3 spacecraft will allocate 20 kilograms of resources for international collaboration.
"Tianwen-3 is mainly for collecting samples from Mars and returning them to the earth. In this mission, we also hope to go to Mars with our international colleagues, conducting some macroscopic and large-scale scientific explorations," Guan said.
The Tianwen-3 spacecraft comprises a lander, an ascent vehicle, a service module, an orbiter and a return module, and it is equipped with six scientific payloads.
The spacecraft is expected to be launched around the year of 2028.
China strengthens int'l cooperation on space exploration via Moon, Mars missions
China strengthens int'l cooperation on space exploration via Moon, Mars missions
The U.S. military strike against Venezuela and capture of its president, Nicolas Maduro, has shocked the international community, triggering a steady stream of condemnation and serious concerns worldwide.
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain issued a joint statement on Sunday, expressing serious concern about and firm opposition to the U.S. unilateral military operations in Venezuela.
The U.S. actions contravene fundamental principles of international law, particularly the prohibition on the use or threat of force, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, as enshrined in the UN Charter, constituting an extremely dangerous precedent against peace and regional security, according to the statement.
In expressing profound concern and firm rejection, the six countries stressed in the statement that the situation in Venezuela must be resolved exclusively by peaceful means, and through dialogue, negotiation and respect for the will of the Venezuelan people in all its expressions, without external interference and in accordance with international law.
Only an inclusive political process, led by Venezuelans, can lead to a democratic, sustainable solution that respects human dignity, according to the statement.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the U.S. raid in Venezuela as a violation of international law, adding that the Spanish government always advocates and defends international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Addressing a meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez demanded the unconditional and immediate release of Maduro and his wife.
Noting that Latin America and the Caribbean are a zone of peace, he expressed his firm opposition to the use of force, which is an unshakable principle.
Any aggression against Venezuela shall be regarded as an attack against all CELAC member states, and nations must collectively oppose it, he stressed.
The South African government denounced the U.S. attack on Venezuela as a violation of international law, according to a statement released on Sunday.
History has repeatedly demonstrated that military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis, the statement said.
South Africa calls on the UN Security Council to urgently convene a session to address this situation, according to the statement.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said what happened in Venezuela demonstrates that international law and the UN Charter are losing their practical effectiveness.
U.S. military action against Venezuela marks a dangerous precedent, as similar actions could be taken against any other nations, he said.
In addition, the foreign ministries of Namibia, Singapore, Oman and Pakistan also issued statements on the same day, expressing grave concern over U.S. interference in Venezuela's internal affairs.
They emphasized the need to uphold international law and the principles of the UN Charter while respecting Venezuela's sovereignty.
They also called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the crisis through peaceful dialogue.
U.S. move against Venezuela sparks condemnation, concerns worldwide
