China's space station to open to foreign astronauts

BEIJING - A senior Chinese space scientist announced on Friday that China's space station is expected to be opened to foreign astronauts.

"The space station will offer astronauts from around the world opportunities for research and experimentation," Zhou Jianping, designer-in-chief of China's manned space program, told Xinhua at the sidelines of an international symposium held in Beijing from Monday to Friday.

China's space station is expected to be completed around 2020.

Representatives from more than 20 countries and international organizations exchanged views on space technology cooperation, in a bid to promote the transformation and use of space technology.

"The space station will use cutting-edge technologies, such as energy and regeneration technologies," Zhou added.

Zhou said that China is willing to exchange and cooperate with other countries in the field after the completion of the space station, in order to achieve peaceful use of space resources and mutual development.

The space station has been designed to accommodate three astronauts who will work in half-year shifts during its operation period, but new capsules can be added as needed for scientific research.