On the Morning of Nov. 13, 2014, a NASA delegation headed by Administrator Charles Bolden paid a visit to the National Space Science Center (NSSC), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The 6-person delegation also includes Mr. Michael O’Brien, the Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations as well as representatives from the Embassy of the United States in Beijing, China.

Prof. WU Ji, Director General of NSSC, met with the delegation and extended warm welcome to the delegation members. The delegation was invited to visit the Exhibition Hall of DFH-1, the CAS Key Lab. of Microwave and Remote Sensing Technology, the Space Environment Exploration Lab., the Science Operation Center of Meridian Project, the State Key Lab of Space Weather as well as the Concurrent Design Facilities for System Simulation.

During the bilateral meeting, Prof. WU Ji delivered a brief introduction of NSSC and its space science programs with emphasis on the ongoing CAS Strategic Priority Program on Space Science, which is followed by Mr. Charles' introduction of the U.S endeavor in International Space Station, the Mars Exploration, the James Webb space telescope, etc. Both sides extended sincere wishes to deepen the bilateral cooperation when conditions permit.

Nominated by President Barack Obama, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Mr. Charles Frank Bolden began his career as the 12th Administrator of NASA on July 17, 2009. As Administrator, Bolden leads a nationwide NASA team to advance the missions and goals of the U.S. space program.

In Sept. 2013, he led a small delegation to China and met with Bai Chunli, President of CAS. They exchanged frank opinions on pragmatic cooperation in relevant fields in the future. His official visit this time was also upon the invitation of CAS.