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BEIJING Event report

China's Space Activities: Challenges, Innovations & Future Perspectives

Collage of four photos from a CCI FRANCE CHINE conference on China's space activities, featuring a keynote speaker presenting at a podium, attendees listening to the conference, a group photo of participants, and a guest posing with French and Chinese flags following the event.

On June 30th, 2026, CCI FRANCE CHINE hosted the second edition of its conference dedicated to Chinese Space Activities, bringing together members, institutional representatives, and industry stakeholders for an in-depth exchange on China’s rapidly evolving space ecosystem.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Mr. Stéphane Portes for this event. He delivered the opening remarks, setting the context of the session and highlighting the strategic importance of space cooperation and the growing role of China as a major spacefaring nation.

The conference was then led by Mr. Mathieu Grialou, Counsellor for Space Affairs at CNES (Centre National d’Études Spatiales), whose expertise and comprehensive keynote presentation shaped the core of the discussion. 

He revisited the historical context of China’s space development, outlined the current landscape of space activities, and provided in-depth insights into the key projects and technological developments expected to shape the sector over the next decade.

A comprehensive presentation followed, covering China’s advancements across the full spectrum of space capabilities:
🔹 Human and robotic spaceflight programs
🔹 Satellite navigation and telecommunications systems
🔹 Earth observation and remote sensing technologies
🔹 Institutional and private sector launch capabilities

Participants gained valuable insights into how China has consolidated its position as a leading space power, supported by sustained investment and accelerating innovation across both public and private initiatives.

The conference continued with a Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the speaker on the technical, strategic, and geopolitical dimensions of China’s space program.

The event concluded with a networking cocktail reception, offering attendees the opportunity to continue discussions in a more informal setting and strengthen exchanges between the French and Chinese space and innovation communities.

Special thanks to the French Embassy in China for trusting us to host this event for a second time, to Mr. Mathieu Grialou for his insightful presentation, and to all participants for their active contribution to this successful edition.

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