China will deepen international cooperation on climate change, environmental protection, disaster relief and other global issues, Vice Premier Li Keqiang said in Beijing on Thursday.

Li made the remarks in a meeting with the foreign delegates to the 21st congress of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS).

Li said space technology played an important role in the modernization construction of China.

Chinese topographic technicians applied advanced technologies, such as aerial surveys, remote sensing and spatial positioning, immediately after the devastating May 12 earthquake to gather effective and accurate information of the affected area, Li said.

Li said China would support the peaceful exploitation of space and take an active part in international scientific research and exploration programs.

Ian Dowman, ISPRS president, briefed Li on the 21st ISPRS congress from July 3 to 11 in Beijing, saying the ISPRS would boost cooperation with China.

The ISPRS is an international NGO devoted to the development of international cooperation in the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. Its membership comprises national organizations and professional societies representing more than 100 nations and regions.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2008)