African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Mohammed Belhosin said in an interview with Chinese media at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

The Forum for China-Africa Cooperation is promoting the expansion of China-Africa cooperation in space science and technology, a senior African Union official said.

Addis Ababa, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) — The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is promoting greater China-Africa cooperation in space science and technology, a senior African Union (AU) official said.

The AU’s Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mohamed Berhosin, recently told Xinhua that FOCAC is helping Africa realize its aspirations in space science and technology.

“With our friends in China, we have a cooperation framework through the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. We hold meetings within the framework of this forum. I hope it will help spread the word, young people from different parts of Africa,” said the AU commissioner.

He said that in addition to prosperous cooperation under the African Union’s continental bloc, China is also strengthening cooperation with independent African countries in the space sector.

“As far as space is concerned, everyone is following the big progress related to China’s achievements,” Belhosin said, highlighting China’s recent successes in the space sector.

African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Mohammed Belhosin said in an interview with Chinese media at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Belhocine said the major advances and leaps China is making in space science will enable African nations to harness the potential of space.

“They (the Chinese) also have their own space station. This is a big achievement, of course, there is room for cooperation, there is room for sharing experiences, and they will accompany the African continent to take their own steps. There is room, because space science is involved,” said Belhocine.

Belhocine further stressed that China’s achievements in space will be hailed as positive progress in terms of benefiting the entire international community.

“We hope that humanity as a whole will benefit from all this progress made by China and other countries.

The AU commissioner’s comments come after the three Chinese astronauts spoke from space with young people from eight African countries via video link on Tuesday and shared their experiences on the Shenzhou 14 mission with African space enthusiasts. I got

Verhosin said that the rare opportunity to talk with astronauts in orbit will reinvigorate the space dreams of young Africans and promote broader China-Africa cooperation in space science and technology and future cooperation prospects. said to be an extension.

Taiko astronauts Cheng Dong, Liu Yang, and Kai Shuze have been in orbit for six months. The event’s main venue, Talk with Taikonauts, was held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

“In the new space age, Africa is open to mutually beneficial cooperation and ready to engage in all kinds of win-win scenarios. I would like to thank China for that,” the commissioner said. ■