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China Daily:

I have three questions for Mr. Xu. What is the significance of setting April 24 as China's National Day of Space Flight? How does the international community feel about the issue? What activities will be arranged for celebrating China's first space day?

Xu Dazhe:

Thanks for your concern for China's National Day of Space Flight. As I have mentioned earlier, we set April 24 as the National Day of Space Flight to commemorate the launch of China's first home-grown man-made earth satellite, which was the first step in Chinese history for sending people into space and discovering the mysteries of the universe and the peaceful use of space resources. It also means that China became the world's fifth country to launch a home-grown man-made satellite, which was the first milestone in the development of China's space industry. With a history of 60 years, the industry has witnessed three milestones: launching a man-made earth satellite, sending Chinese people into space to have them orbit the earth, and realizing the Chinese millennium dream of landing on the moon. Since the first milestone event is pioneering and fundamental, it is representative and commemorative to mark the day of the event as China's National Day of Space Flight, and has been widely accepted among people dedicated to the space industry and other sectors of society. Before I came here, I learned that space agencies from more than 30 countries have sent their letters of congratulation to the National Space Administration, expressing their interest in the issue.

I believe that setting the day helps inherit the spirit of space flight, which is a part of Chinese culture and involves the traditional space spirit and the spirit to develop atomic and hydrogen bombs and man-made satellites, and also to develop manned space flight. Marking the day helps carry on the spirit and take it forward.

It helps unite Chinese strength. The dream of spaceflight is a part of the Chinese dream. We shall adhere to the Chinese path of development, carry forward the Chinese spirit and enhance Chinese wisdom.

It helps cultivate the culture of innovation. The Chinese space program has witnessed a history of independent innovation because no core technology can be bought; we must develop it by ourselves. In these circumstances, we choose a path of self-reliance and innovation.

It also helps promote opening-up and sharing. The space project is huge and complex, demanding international cooperation for exploring the mysteries of the universe for the benefit of mankind. Countries over the world, especially the big powers, must make joint efforts. I have noticed that countries with a will to become strong nations have invested more in space than they did before. We have been adhering to the principle of the peaceful use of outer space resources and hope to act with wide international cooperation. As I mentioned earlier China's National Day of Space Flight will become a window for the world to learn about China's space development. We are willing to take the opportunity brought about by this issue to enhance cooperation with our international counterparts. Thank you.

TASS:

What achievements do you think have been made due to Sino-Russia cooperation in the space industry so far? In what space fields do you hope to cooperate with Russia?

Xu Dazhe:

China and Russia have established a good method for cooperation. April 12 is Cosmonautics Day in Russia. The general manager of the Russian Federal Space Group Company invited me to attend activities celebrating the day. But it is a pity that I couldn't afford the time then and had to send a representative instead. The general manager, who was the former head of the Russian Federal Space Agency, will make a special trip to Beijing tomorrow to have talks with me and to attend activities for the celebration of China's National Day of Space Flight on April 24, a move that shows that bilateral cooperation has been good in the past and has huge room to develop in the future. The Russian space industry is further ahead than those of other countries and the International Day of Space Flight is set to mark the first man-made satellite launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. So, it is of great significance to take the opportunity to talk about Sino-Russia cooperation. China and Russia have an outline for cooperation and dozens of collaborative projects, all of which have gone well. We have recently cooperated in aerospace power and electronic components. We will make joint efforts in exploring the mysteries of the universe, making more breakthroughs in space technologies and better use of space resources for the benefits of the people from both nations and all mankind. The room for bilateral cooperation is huge. Thank you.

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