Lao satellite project is a landmark project of China and Laos that pioneered an innovative mode of transnational high-tech cooperation. At 00:07 on 21 November 2015,the LAOSAT-1 communication satellite was successfully launched in Xichang. Congratulatory messages were exchanged between xi jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Presidentof China, and Choummaly Sayasone, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
In the message, President Xi jinping expressed that the LAOSAT-1 Satellite Project stands as a signifcant symbol of comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Laos in the newera, initiates another successful sample for the cooperation between the developing countries in the aerospace field, and will play an important role for the economic, livelihood, and social improvements of Laos. On the basis of joint efforts between the two countries, China is willing to strengthenthe communication and cooperation with Laos in all aspects to further improve the comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership between China and Laos in the principles of highly mutuatrust, mutual benefit, and mutual assistance, and to build an unbreakable China-Laos community ofcommon destiny, to benefit the two countries and their people, and to contribute to a consistentlypeaceful,stable,and prosperous atmosphere region.
President Choummaly 5ayasone mentioned in the congratulatory message that the LAOSAT-1 5atel-lite Project would provide satellite telecommunication information and technical services to custom-ers in and out of Laos, which will surely and greatly contribute to the social and economic develop-ment of Laos. The Cpc and Chinese Government have offered tremendous support and help to theresearch, development and production as well as to the successful launch of satellite LAOSAT-1.TheLAOSAT-1 Satellite Project reflects the friendly, practical, mutual and beneficial cooperation betweenChina and Laos, which will bring concrete benefits to the people of twwo countries.
2006 —— 2024
In 2006,the Lao Government launched a telecom-munication renovation program and invited China Asia-Pacific Mobile Telecommunications Satellite Co.,Ltd.(now renamed CHINAROCKET CO.,LTD.) to assist with the technical demonstration of the program.
On August 22,the Chinese and Lao governments completed the signing of the Framework Agree-ment on Space Science and Technical Cooperation.
On September 25,a signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding on the construc-tion and commercial operation of the Lao Satellite Broadcasting and Communication System was held in Lao PDR.
On February 25,the Contract for the Lao Satellite Broadcasting Telecommunication System Construction Project was signed by China Asia-Pa-cific Mobile Telecommunications Satellite Co.,Ltd. China Great Wall Industry Corporation,and the Lao National Authority for Science and Technology.
On July 11,under the witness of President Hu Jintao and President Choummaly Sayasone,the Buyer's Credit Agreement of Lao Satellite Project was signed.
On November 5,the Chinese Government Conces- sion Loan Agreement of the Lao Satellite Project was signed in the presence of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Tham- mavong.
On December 1,China Asia-Pacific Mobile Telecom- munications Satellite Co.,Ltd.and the Lao Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications held a launch meeting for the Lao Satellite Project in Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR,officially marking the start of the project.
On September 2,Lei Fanpei,Chairman of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation,and Choummaly Sayasone,General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolu-tionary Party and President of Lao PDR,attended the factory ribbon-cutting ceremony for the LAOSAT-1 communication satellite.
On October 30,the shareholders from China and Laos signed a shareholders'agreement for the joint venture.
At 00:07 on November 21,2015,the LAOSAT-1 communication satellite was successfully launched by a Long March 3B rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.
On December 3,Zhang Dejiang,Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China,visited the LAOSAT-1 satellite ground station.He pointed out the need to make every effort to train Lao satellite personnel to master satellite operation and management technology and to ensure that the satellite plays a greater role in becoming a landmark project of China-Laos cooperation.
On February 25,the joint venture company for the Lao Satellite Project,Lao Asia Pacific Satellite Co., Ltd.(LAOSAT),was officially registered and I established,marking the project's official entering the commercial operation phase.
In March,the on-orbit delivery ceremony of the LAOSAT-1 communication satellite and the found- ing conference of LAOSAT were held in Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR.
In September,LAOSAT received authorization from the Lao government to officially start operations in satellite communication,satellite TV,and telecom- munication broadband business.
On December 21,Liu Qibao,a member of the Central Political Bureau,Secretary of the Central Secretariat,and Minister of the Central Propaganda Department of China,visited the ground station of LAOSAT and gave high praise for the contributions made by the Lao Satellite Project.
On December 14,Sonexay Siphandone,then Deputy Prime Minister of Laos,visited LAOSAT.On the same day,the Prime Minister's Office issued Notification No.1989,Results of the Meeting on the Operation of LAOSAT which provided guidelines for foreign satellite TV reception equipment.
On December 21,Huang Kunming,a member of the Central Political Bureau,Secretary of the Central Secretariat,and Minister of the Central Propaganda Department of China,visited the ground station of LAOSAT.He praised the company's achievements in its business operations and specifically highlighted that the LAOSAT-1 communication satellite project is a model of technological cooperation and a platform for cultural exchange between China and Laos.He emphasized the need for closer coopera- tion with the Lao side to effectively operate LAOSAT and generate greater economic benefits.
In May,Lao first education-focused TV channel, Education and Sports TV Channel,began a trial broadcast via the LAOSAT-1 satellite and its DTH satellite TV platform.It officially launched to the public in August of the same year.
On March 30,the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I of the Construction for China-aided Rural Poverty Alleviation Facilities in Laos was held in Vientiane,the capital of Lao PDR.LAOSAT,leverag- ing its unique advantage of providing satellite digital TV services throughout Laos,undertook the digital TV project of Phase l of the Construction for China-aided Rural Poverty Alleviation Facilities n Laos.
The 2024-2028 action plan between the CPC and the LPRP on building the China-Laos community with a shared future proposes to fully leverage the advantages of the LAOSAT-1 communication satellite,focusing on cultivating Lao satellite telem- etry,tracking,control,and application talent.China will utilize aerospace technologyto assist Laos in its national economic and social development and in improving people's livelihoods.The plan explores the establishment of a Lao National Satellite Application Center and the creation of a satellite remote sensing application cooperation platform to promote cooperation in surveying and geographic information technology between China and Laos,including helping to establish and improve databases related to Lao agriculture,land, forests,and minerals.The plan aims to advance the application of aerospace technologies,including satellite communications,remote sensing,and navigation,to promote Lao economic and techno- logical progress.
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China will assist Laos in cultivating scientific research talent,enhancing their research capabili-ties and levels,and promoting the application of scientific and technological achievements to the development of Laos.
On June 4,LAOSAT and Deep Space Exploration Lab signed a Memorandum of Understanding on International Lunar Research Station(ILRS).
