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On October 12, the Information Office of the State Council
published a white paper entitled China's Space Activities in 2006
to follow the first paper published on November 22, 2000.
Sun Laiyan, Director of China's State Space Administration, Hou
Shenyuan and Zhu Yilin, researchers at the Chinese Academy of Space
Technology, spoke to Xinhua News Agency and People's Daily with
focus on the highlights of China's space program.
More Transparent
Quote: China's space industry has made great progress
since the Chinese Government issued the white paper China's Space
Activities in 2000.
Expert: The latest white paper introduces the
aims and basic principles of space development in China, provides
an overview of progress made in the last five years, outlines
development targets and major tasks for the future period of time,
explains development policies and measures, and reiterates China's
commitment to utilize outer space for peaceful purposes.
The new white paper signals increasing transparency in China's
space activities. The Chinese Government will adopt more flexible,
active and open policies, as well as strengthen international
cooperation and exchanges. In light of the actual situation and new
goals, the white paper plays a significant role in pushing China's
space program forward.
Leapfrogging Development
Quote: China considers the development of its space
industry as a strategic way to enhance its economic, scientific,
technological and national defense strength, as well as a cohesive
force for the unity of the Chinese people, in order to rejuvenate
China. Since the space industry is an important part of the
national overall development strategy, China will maintain
long-term, stable development in this field.
Expert: Unlike the first white paper, the
latest one outlines considerations for the development of China's
space industry, a strategic way to enhance its economic,
scientific, technological and national defense strength as well as
a cohesive force for the unity of the Chinese people. “Leapfrogging
development” has also been proposed for the first time. In summary,
China will give priority to the development of its space program,
will be more confident and will develop its space industry faster
and better.
Emphasizing Independent Innovation
Quote: When developing the space industry, China will
follow the principles guiding the development of the country's
scientific and technological programs, namely, making innovations
independently, making leapfrogging development in key areas,
shoring up the economy and leading future trends. In the new
development stage, the principles of development for China's space
industry are as follows: Maintaining and serving the country's
overall development strategy, and meeting the needs of the state
and reflecting its will; upholding independence and self-reliance
policy, making innovations independently and realizing leapfrogging
development…
Expert: Although China has made remarkable
progress in its space program, it still lags behind developed
countries. The key to narrowing the gap lies in increasing its
capacity for independent innovation. The white paper puts more
emphasis on it and will maintain the principles that govern the
space program.
Serving the People
Quote: Development targets: To achieve the initial
transformation of applied satellites and satellite application from
experimental application type to operational service
type.
Expert: China has focused on developing
experimental satellites. In the future, China will improve
satellite application efficiency and place more emphases on applied
satellites. Meteorological satellites like the Fengyun series have
played an important role in weather forecasting. More and more
people and industries will benefit from homemade satellites. China
has set five development targets for its space program in the next
five years, which include building a coordinated and complete
national satellite remote-sensing application system, setting up a
relatively complete satellite telecom-munications and broadcasting
system, and establishing a satellite navigation and positioning
system to better meet the needs of the people.
Prioritizing Internal Space Initiatives
Quote: The major policies and measures for China's space
industry at present and in the near future are to make overall
plans for and deploy rationally space activities; to give priority
to the development of applied satellites and satellite
applications, develop in a proper way manned spaceflight and
deep-space exploration, and give active support to space science
exploration…
Expert: China has for the first time ranked the
importance of various space projects including applied satellites,
manned space flights, deep-space exploration and space science. The
Chinese Government is increasingly clear about the development of
space activities. Applied satellites and satellite application will
be at the top of the agenda for China's space program.
Improving Space Technology
Quote: To muster strength in implementing key space
scientific and technological projects, strengthen basic research
and make plans for frontier technologies in advance.
Expert: Implementing key scientific and
technological projects, improving the overall level of China's
space technology and leapfrogging development have not only been a
part of China's plan over the last 50 years, but are also major
channels for its space development. China will devote more to its
space program. More than 10 major goals are outlined in the white
paper, which lays the foundation for the next five years. China is
confident in reaching all its space development goals.
(China.org.cn)
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