In a press conference held this morning (15th) by the State Council Information Office, a significant announcement was made regarding China’s first national space science plan, titled “National Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan for Space Science (2024-2050).” This plan was collaboratively released by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the China National Space Administration, and the Manned Space Engineering Office, outlining fundamental principles, development goals, and a roadmap for the advancement of space science in China through 2050.
During the conference, Ding Chibiao, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted that this plan will serve as the foundation for guiding China’s space science mission deployment and research endeavors in the near and distant future. The plan was crafted over more than two years with the contributions of over 500 experts and scholars from research institutions, universities, and various industries, who provided extensive input and suggestions.
The plan establishes the basic principles for the development of space science in China, emphasizing four key areas: a focus on diverse applications, coordinated efforts, and open collaboration.
Specifically, the overall goal of the plan is to systematically outline and validate the implementation of national space science missions, enhance fundamental research driven by these tasks, and cultivate a highly skilled workforce in space science. Furthermore, it aims to achieve significant, internationally recognized original achievements and elevate the quality of space science development, positioning China among the leaders in the global space science community and solidifying its status as a strong nation in this field.
