U.S., China Seek Stronger Space Program Cooperation

[Satellite TODAY 11-19-09] The United States and China will expand discussions on space- and science-related cooperative projects, including human space flight and space exploration, according to a U.S.-China joint statement released Nov. 17.
     The White House hailed progress made in scientific and technological cooperation and exchanges between the two countries throughout the past 30 years since the signing of the U.S.-China Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology and said that NASA Administrator Charles Bolden will meet with his Chinese counterpart in 2010.
     The statement comes as U.S. President Barack Obama completes his state visit in Beijing with Chinese President Hu Jintao.
     U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) laws that control the export and import of certain defense-related articles and services, including commercial launch vehicles, have stood as an obstacle to U.S.-China space cooperation since being implemented in 1976.