China hosts SKA meeting to usher in a new phase

China’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) hosted a major meeting on 31 August to mark the country becoming a full member of the SKA Observatory (SKAO). Around 100 key government officials, scientists and engineers from the SKA China community gathered both onsite in Beijing and online to witness the start of a new phase for China’s involvement in the world’s second inter-governmental organisation dedicated to astronomy in the upcoming decades.

SKAO Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond, SKAO Council Chair Dr Catherine Cesarsky and SKAO Member representatives sent congratulatory video messages recognising China’s consistent contribution to and important role in the SKA project since its inception.

In his concluding remarks, Wang Zhigang, China’s Minister of Science and Technology, expressed appreciation for the messages from international colleagues and said China will work to honour its commitment to the SKAO Convention, the Observatory’s founding document, and join hands with engineers and scientists across the world to construct and operate the facility to the highest standard, to ensure it delivers on its scientific promise.

The meeting also reported on the progress of SKA-related activities in China, and a white paper was released detailing the guiding principle and policy measures for China’s involvement in the project.

by SKA China Office