As of December 2025, the Chinese mainland and France mark 48 years of landmark space cooperation that has shaped global space exploration.
1977: First Steps Beyond Earth
The partnership began in 1977 when a Chinese aerospace technology delegation visited French aerospace research institutions. This inaugural exchange laid the foundation for long-term collaboration.
1997: Formalizing Collaboration
In 1997, the two governments signed a cooperation agreement, accelerating joint work in earth observation, deep space missions, satellite development, lunar exploration, and manned spaceflight.
2018: CFOSat Takes Flight
On October 29, 2018, a Long March-2C carrier rocket lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center and placed the China–France Oceanography Satellite (CFOSat) into orbit. Jointly developed by CNSA and France's CNES, CFOSat shifted the partnership into co-development and data sharing.
Over nearly five decades, China-France space cooperation has achieved positive results and set a high bar for international collaboration. As both sides look ahead, this partnership continues to drive scientific discovery across borders.
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Looking at key moments in 48 years of China-France space cooperation
cgtn.com
