On July 3, 2026, the launch meeting of the International Cooperation Strategic Consultation Project for Strategic Research on Near-Earth Asteroid Defense and Utilization was held in Beijing. Academician Li Zhongping, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), attended the meeting and delivered a speech. The project leader, Academician Wu Weiren presided over the meeting.

    Academicians Fei Aiguo, Tong Xiaohua, Deng Zongquan and Huang Dianzhong, together with expert team members from nine countries and regions including the Russia, France, Thailand, Italy, Uruguay, Croatia and Serbia, project team members, and relevant officials from the Bureau of International Cooperation of the CAE — nearly 50 in total — attended the meeting.

    Li Zhongping pointed out that near-Earth asteroid threats constitute a space security challenge facing all humanity, while asteroid resources are also space wealth shared by all humans. The series of outcomes to be produced by this project will be of great significance for the peaceful use of outer space, the continuation of human civilization, and the protection of our planetary home. The project also serves as an important vehicle for practicing global space governance and deepening international scientific and technological exchanges. The project team should advance all research work to high standards, integrate the collective wisdom of Chinese and international experts to produce high-quality advisory deliverables, and strive to build this initiative into CAE’s flagship project on international cooperation strategic consultation.

    The project team stated that they will earnestly summarize and incorporate the views and suggestions put forward by the participating academicians and experts, further refine the research framework, consolidate key findings, formulate international cooperation initiatives, and submit high-level policy proposals.