China concerned over Washington's HADR proposal at U-tapao

BANGKOK, July 6 (TNA) - China has raised no more concerns over a climate research project at the U-tapao Airport in Thailand's eastern Chonburi Province, earlier proposed by the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), but has now expressed more worries over the United States’ request to use the U-tapao Airport as a base for its regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Project. Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told reporters of the updates on Friday, one day after a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi. According to the Thai foreign minister, China reasoned that Washington's HADR Project concerns many stakeholders and needs a framework of the multi-party cooperation, insisting that Beijing wants to take part in the HADR consideration process. China, meanwhile, thanked Thailand for showing willingness to embrace China’s views while considering the HADR proposal. The foreign minister said, meanwhile, that Thai Science and Technology Plodprasop Suraswadi is scheduled to visit NASA next month to see whether the US space agency will return to Thailand next year for its proposed climate survey project. (TNA)