Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory of China

On July 16, 2026, a six-member delegation from the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) of China visited the Astronomical Observatory to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the establishment of a Joint Deep Space Exploration Laboratory. The DSEL delegation consisted of Prof. Dr. Hu Zhaobin, Deputy Director, Prof. Dr. Wang Zhongmin, Director of the International Cooperation Center, Ms. Liu Yakang, Regional Director of the International Cooperation Center, Dr. He Yuling, Director of the Future Technology Research Center, Dr. Liu Ying, Director of the Lunar Research Department, and Dr. Sheng Zhenfeng, Researcher.

At the very beginning of the signing ceremony, the gathering was addressed by Prof. Dr. Luka Popović, Director of the Astronomical Observatory, Prof. Dr. Hu Zhaobin, Mr. Zoran Tomić, Special Advisor at the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Wang Kang, Second Secretary of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, and Prof. Dr. Bojan Lalić, Director of the Belt and Road Institute. They pointed out the good cooperation between Serbian and Chinese scientists, as well as the need to expand it and that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is a step in that direction.

Then, Prof. Dr. Hu and Prof. Dr. Popović signed a Memorandum of Understanding that includes six broad research areas covering the study of the Moon and planets, as well as the dynamics of small bodies of the Solar System and asteroids, the study of the Sun and the Sun's influence on the Earth, astrobiology, numerical astrophysics, the study of nearby and distant galaxies, and also the study of gravitational anomalies in the Solar System, and the increasingly present problem of light pollution. After signing the Memorandum, the guests visited the Large Refractor Pavilion.

In the open discussion that followed, led by Dr. Srđan Samurović, on the possibilities of cooperation related to all the mentioned research areas, various aspects of future cooperation were discussed and proposals were presented by the associates of the Astronomical Observatory. Prof. Dr. Wang Zhongmin and his associates presented the main directions of DSEL research. In addition to the Director of the Observatory, the following associates of the Astronomical Observatory also participated in the discussion: Dr. Natasa Todorović, Dr. Đorđe Savić, Dr. Jelena Kovačević Dojčinović, Dr. Predrag Jovanović and Dr. Marko Krčo. The conclusion of the discussion is that all the listed scientific areas offer various opportunities for cooperation and that this cooperation should begin immediately.