China would like to conduct space cooperation with the United States and other countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in Beijing Tuesday.

Qin was speaking in advance of the visit to China by Michael Griffin, the administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The peaceful exploitation of space was the common cause of mankind, Qin said.

China hoped space organizations from China and the United States could establish steady relations and discuss the possibility of cooperation in space science and application, said Qin.

Griffin is reported to be visiting China from September 24 to 28, making stops in Beijing and Shanghai.

China has already signed 16 pacts with 13 governments and organizations and established space industry cooperation with more than 40 countries and international organizations.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2006)