Chinese space station to be open to foreigners

A senior Chinese space scientist Friday said 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 programme, told Xinhua on the sidelines of an international symposium in Beijing.

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

Representatives from more than 20 countries and international organisations exchanged views on space technology cooperation the five-day symposium that ended Friday.

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

Zhou said 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 and when required for scientific research.