On 25 September 2006, XU Guanhua, Minister of Science and Technology met with visiting NASA Administrator Michael Griffin and his delegation in the office building of MOST.

Minister XU hopes that Administrator Griffin's visit would promote mutual understanding between the two countries in the sector of aeronautics and space, increase mutual trust and facilitate cooperation through enhanced exchange in aerospace. Minister XU also indicated that exchange and joint study in space technology could provide new means for cooperation in such fields as environment and resources. Administrator Griffin approved of Minister XU's views and suggested that China and the US strengthen cooperation in earth observation  (geoscience), space data sharing, deep space exploration and space debris.