Editor's Note

Since its foundation in 1949, the People's Republic of China has made unceasing efforts to develop science and technology - which former leader Deng Xiaoping regarded as "primary productive forces". Over the past 60 years, the Chinese people have successfully integrated scientific and technical progress with economic development. The following photos highlight China's key accomplishments in various research fields.

First manned spacecraft

On October 15, 2003, China's first manned spacecraft, Shenzhou V, was successfully launched into space. It returned to Earth on October 16. China became the third country in the world to have the independent technology of launching manned spacecraft. Yang Liwei, the astronaut on board, became China's first space hero.

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