China's space exploration 'astonishing', professor says

China's speed of space exploration is "astonishing" and the country has been emerging as one of the leaders in the field, said Quentin Parker, professor in the Faculty of Science at the University of Hong Kong and the director of its Laboratory for Space Research.

Parker listed several milestones, including missions to the moon and Mars and the launch of a new space station. "Just looking at what China's achieved over the last months is what I call an annus mirabilis, in terms of achievement," Parker said.

The professor added that the Chinese missions are providing new, peaceful opportunities for international cooperation in space."If you look at the Chinese white paper on space....I've just looked at what's been happening...is the incredible intent to collaborate. And it's already there. And I think this is a fantastic thing."

Parker said there were tremendous opportunities for countries to collaborate in space peacefully. "It's all about peaceful collaboration and exploration in space", he said.