A 2006 ChineseGovernment whitepaper helps providethe answers.
What Are China’s Space Hopes?By Cliff Montgomery – Jan. 15th, 2007On Oct. 12th, 2006, the Information Office of China’s State Council issued a white paper titled “China’s Space Activities in 2006″.We should watch such developments with great interest. China is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and its government–regardless of what many American CEO’s want you to think–is essentially just as oppressive now as it was when it was adhering purely to Communist doctrine.The following is quoted from the white paper, “China’s Space Activities in 2006”:“Space activities around the world have been flourishing in the first few years of the 21st century. Leading countries in the area of spaceflight have formulated or readjusted their development strategies, plans and goals in this sphere. The role of space activities in a country’s overall development strategy is becoming increasingly salient, and their influence on human civilization and social progress is increasing.”It has been 50 splendid years since China embarked on the road to develop its space industry, starting in 1956. For half a century, China has worked independently in this field. It has made eye-catching achievements, and ranks among the world’s most advanced countries in some important fields of space technology. China is unflinching in taking the road of peaceful development, and always maintains that outer space is the common wealth of mankind.”While supporting all activities that utilize outer space for peaceful purposes, China actively explores and uses outer space and continuously makes new contributions to the development of man’s space programs.”China has set the strategic goal of building itself into a well-off society in an all-round way, ranking it among the countries with the best innovative capabilities in the first 20 years of the 21st century. The development of the space industry in China now faces new opportunities and higher requirements.”In the new stage of development, China will adhere to the scientific outlook on development as guidance, center its work on the national strategic goals, strengthen its innovative capabilities and do its best to make the country’s space industry develop faster and better.”China’s space industry has made great progress since the Chinese government issued the white paper China’s Space Activities in 2000. In order to give people around the world a better understanding of the development of China’s space industry over the past five years and its plans for the near future, we hereby offer an expanded introduction to some related issues.I. Aims and Principles of Development“The aims of China’s space activities are: to explore outer space, and enhance understanding of the Earth and the cosmos; to utilize outer space for peaceful purposes, promote human civilization and social progress, and benefit the whole of mankind; to meet the demands of economic construction, scientific and technological development, national security and social progress; and to raise the scientific quality of the Chinese people, protect China’s national interests and rights, and build up the comprehensive national strength.”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.”[One of the primary goals for China’s space industry is] maintaining and serving the country’s overall development strategy, and meeting the needs of the state and reflecting its will. 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.II. Progress Made in the Past Five Years“From 2001 to 2005, China’s space industry has developed rapidly, making many achievements. A group of research and development and testing bases of the advanced world level has been built, and the system of research, design, production and testing has been further improved, markedly enhancing the country’s basic capabilities in space science and technology.”With breakthroughs in important key technologies, the overall level of China’s space technology has been improved remarkably. Having made a historic breakthrough in manned spaceflight, China has embarked on a comprehensive lunar exploration project.”Space application systems have taken shape, the range of application has been further expanded, application benefits have been noticeably enhanced, and important achievements have been made in space scientific experiments and research in this regard.”If you wish to read the full text for yourself, check it out at:http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-10/12/content_5193446.
