China to work with int'l community for peaceful use of outer space

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, November 08, 2003

China to work with int'l community for peaceful use of outer space

China will work with the international community for the peaceful use of outer space, said Chinese President Hu Jintao here Friday when addressing a rally celebrating the country's first manned spaceflight, which made it the third space faring country after Russia and the United States.

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Hu Jintao adresses rally celebrating manned spaceflight

China will work with the international community for the peaceful use of outer space, said Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday when addressing a rally celebrating the country's first manned spaceflight, which made it the third spacefaring country after Russia and the United States.

Moer than 6,000 people attended the high-profile rally inside the Great Hall of the People, which was organized by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

Among those crowned is the first Chinese taikonaut, 38-year-old Colonel Yang Liwei. He received the certificate and medal of "Space Hero" from Chairman Jiang Zemin of the Central Military Commission.

The rally was chaired by China's NPC Standing Committee Chariman Wu Bangguo. Premier Wen Jiabao announced the decision of the central government to honor the space hero.

Yang Liwei crowned 'Space Hero'

"It is an important accomplishment in China's development, also a contribution to the international space exploration. The success will help strengthen China's national power and competitiveness. It also increases people's confidence in revitalizing the country," said Hu Jintao.

The achievements made in China's manned space project marks the increasing consolidation of China's comprehensive strength as well as the continued promotion of China's science and technology level over 20 years of reform and opening-up, said Hu, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

"This again proves that as long as we stick to the CPC's basic theories, guidelines, creed, experience, the road of centering economic construction and adhering to reform and opening-up, and the balanced economic and social development, we can constantly make greater achievements in socialist modernization construction," he said.

President Hu Jintao praised Yang Liwei, China's first astronaut, and others who contributed to the country's manned space program. China's first manned space flight solemnly declared to the world that China has become the world's third country independently grasping the manned space technology, he said.

The Chinese people are of remarkable wisdom and great creativity, and are industrious, brave and persistent, he said, noting they have the courage, confidence and capability to make China a strong member of the world community and contribute to peace and development of humankind.

China will better implement the strategy of revitalizing the nation through science, education and talented people, he said.

The chief commander of China's Manned Space Flight Program, General Li Jinai, briefed the rally on the space program. Early on October 15, China successfully launched its first manned spaceship, Shenzhou V into space. The vessel carrying Yang Liwei completed 14 orbits around the Earth and landed successfully in Inner Mongolia 21 hours after the launch. The trip made China the third country after the US and Russia to send a man into space.

Starting in 1992, China's manned space program has involved researchers from 3,000 institutions around the country. So far China has spent 18 billion yuan on the program. The country also plans to start a more ambitious plan to launch its own space station and an exploration mission to the moon.

By People's Daily Online

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China's first astronaut crowned "Space Hero"

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