The Chinese Institute of Rocket-Carrier Technology, also known as the No.1 Institute of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Company, celebrated its 45th founding anniversary Monday.
Premier Zhu Rongji, and Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, sent congratulatory messages to the Beijing-based institute on the occasion, encouraging it to contribute still more to the country's aerospace industry.
Cao Gangchuan, a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, also wrote a congratulatory letter to the research body.
A ceremony to unveil a bronze statue of Qian Xuesen, the first president of the institute, was held in the morning as part of a series of celebratory events.
The institute developed the prestigious Long March rocket-carriers. So far, it has carried out 58 launchings and sent 61 space probes including 27 foreign satellites and three home-made "Shenzhou" spacecraft into the orbit.
The institute has succeeded with its 20 launchings in the past five years since 1997.
(People's Daily December 17, 2002)
