The Way Forward for Promoting Awareness of Space Law in Asia: A Proposal for Institutional Capacity Building

• Author: Yun Zhao
• Position: Associate Professor at Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong. LL.B. (CUPL), LL.M. (CUPL/Leiden), Ph.D. (Erasmus).
• Pages: 335-349

The Way Forward for

Promoting Awareness of

Space Law in Asia:

A Proposal for Institutional

Capacity Building

Yun Zhao



International cooperation in outer space affairs has always been considered vital to

the development of space activities. Such cooperation happens in different levels and

different areas. Regional cooperation is especially meaningful to the regions

concerned. We have witnessed important developments of space cooperation in Asia

in the last few years. However, the cooperation so far is largely limited to

technological aspects. We urgently need to see the cooperation in promoting

awareness of space law in this region. This article proposes that the establishment of

the Asia-Pacific Space Law Center, modeling on the European Center for Space Law,

could fill the gap and play an important role in the promotion and education of space

law in Asia. Nevertheless, in view of the current situation in the region, we may

need to adopt the second best approach, that is, to establish a section within the Asia-

Pacific Space Cooperation Organization solely dealing with promoting regional

cooperation for space law.

Keywords

Space Cooperation, Asia-Pacific Space Law Center, Asia-Pacific

Space Cooperation Organization, Capacity Building

KFBJM3)3122*  335

* Associate Professor at Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong. LL.B. (CUPL), LL.M. (CUPL/Leiden), Ph.D.

(Erasmus). This article stems in part from a paper presented at the International Conference on the Law of Outer

Space titled, The Role of Law in an Asian Space Age: Institutions and Applicationsat Jakarta, Indonesia during

June 6-7 2011. The author may be contacted at: zhaoy@hku.hk / Address: KK Leung Building, HKU Pokfulam Road,

Hong Kong.