Azerbaijani people gather to celebrate Nowruz in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan, March 19, 2023.(Photo: Xinhua)

China and Azerbaijan signed a joint statement on cooperation on International Lunar Research Station program on Tuesday, which marked Azerbaijan's official participation in the program, with the two sides agreeing to conduct extensive and in-depth cooperation in the areas of demonstration, engineering implementation, operation and application at the station. 

The statement was signed by Li Guoping, Chief Engineer of the China National Space Administration, and Samaddin Asadov, chairman of Azerbaijan's space agency Azercosmos, during the 74th International Astronautical Congress held in Azerbaijan's capital Baku.

According to the joint statement, the two sides will engage in extensive and in-depth cooperation in the areas of demonstration, engineering implementation, operation and application, which includes jointly demonstrating scientific goals, carrying scientific instruments, conducting scientific and technological experiments, sharing and analyzing data, as well as education and training.

The agreement is a milestone in aerospace cooperation between China and Azerbaijan, which holds great importance in promoting technological, economic and social development in both countries, as well as consolidating the friendly and cooperative relationships between the two nations.