BEIJING - CHINA announced on Tuesday the setting up of the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation, which is designed to boost cooperation on space science and technology, the Xinhua news agency said.

APSCO includes seven member states, China, Bangladesh, Iran, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru and Thailand, Xinhua said, quoting a statement issued after the founding ceremony.

Its headquarters will be in Beijing.

China is developing its space ambitions, and in 2003 became the third country to launch its own people into space. It currently has a probe orbiting the moon.

'China will give active support to the APSCO and work with other countries for better exchanges and cooperation in peaceful development of outer space among Asian-Pacific countries,' Xinhua quoted Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang as saying in a congratulatory letter to APSCO.

Members will work together in development and research, space technology application and training of space experts.

The idea of the organisation was proposed by China, Thailand and Pakistan in 1992. Indonesia and Turkey also signed the APSCO convention in 2005, Xinhua said. -- REUTERS