Photo:CNSA

China National Space Administration (CNSA) and its Russian counterpart Roscosmos issued on Friday a joint declaration on cooperation in the creation of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), with the two sides emphasizing that the ILRS is open to all international partners interested in cooperation.

CNSA's deputy head Wu Yanhua, said in a statement the agency provided to the Global Times on Saturday that China, Russia will work with other international partners in the cooperation of building the ILRS.

The ILRS will be another major contribution that China and Russia shall make to the promotion of long-term and sustainable development of UN outer space activities, Wu said.

Photo:CNSA

Such joint declaration also showcased the determination and confidence of China-Russia cooperation in the field of lunar and deeper space exploration, the CNSA told the Global Times.

The ISLS is a complex of experimental research facilities created on the surface and/or in moon orbit with possible involvement of other countries, international organizations and other international partners, reads the joint declaration. 

It is designed to carry out multidisciplinary and multipurpose research activities, including the exploration and use of the moon, lunar observations, fundamental research experiments and technology verification with the possibility of long-term unmanned operation with the prospect of ensuring human presence, per the document.

China and Russia clarified in the joint declaration that ILRS is open to all international partners interested in cooperation in the planning, justification, design, development, implementation and operation of the ILRS, strengthening research exchanges and promoting peaceful exploration and use of the outer space for the interests of all humankind. 

"The parties welcome both material and non-material contribution of international partners to the cooperation in the field of the creation of the ILRS in any aspect of the mission at every stage and are convinced that cooperation will be mutually beneficial for all participants," it noted.

Such issue of joint declaration by the two countries' state space agencies came following the ink of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on joint construction of the lunar research station in March.