(Yicai Global) June 13 -- Chinese authorities have selected nine project proposals from 17 countries to become the first experiments conducted by the nation's space station.

The ideas cover astronomy, micro-gravity fluid physics, combustion science, earth science, space life and biotechnology, the China Manned Space Engineering Office and United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs said in Vienna, Austria, yesterday. Switzerland, Poland, France and Japan were among the countries whose proposals were approved.

China began evaluating proposals in May last year after receiving 42 experiment suggestions from 27 countries.

The space engineering office expects to complete construction of the space station in 2022, at which point it envisions having unique advantages in large-scale space research covering a range of disciplines.

Editor: James Boynton