China has invited foreign astronauts to join the mission aboard Beijing’s Tiangong space station and conduct research alongside its crew.
Speaking on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that Beijing was “ready to cooperate with all nations.” The diplomat added that the “Chinese space station is inviting foreign astronauts to conduct research in outer space together with China’s taikonauts.”
Wang noted that China is holding consultations with the UN regarding a joint space mission, saying that space exploration should be a joint venture involving the entire international community. According to the official, an international team could get to work as early as the end of this year.