Calls for US to scrap rocket-launching ban

The United States has been urged to rethink its "out-dated" policy that bans the use of China's rocket-launching service by US and European companies.

It follows a recent warning by Republican US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher against firms sidestepping restrictions to do business with China after reports in the Wall Street Journal of a deal Eutelsat had done to launch a satellite aboard a Long March rocket in 2010.

But Liang Xiaohong, a CPPCC member and vice-president of China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, said yesterday he hoped the US would change its antagonistic attitude.