The Commission of Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND) declared on March 24 that 2006 is a year of decisive battles for China's lunar orbiting project, and the five major systems of this project should become competent to carry out related tasks within this year.

According to Luan Enjie, chief commander of the lunar orbiting project, China will fully enter the stage of positive sample development for the project in 2006. Within this year, scientists will complete development and production of positive samples of the satellite and launch vehicle systems as well as integration and joint experiment of the launch site system, monitoring and control system and ground application system, and the above five systems will be competent to carry out the project.

Luan summarized the achievements of the lunar orbiting project in the past two years in a working report titled Fulfill "Three high" Requirement and Strive for

Successful Initial Launch of the Chang'e Project". It pointed out the current situation and problems, and affirmed the objectives and requirements in the future. The "three high" requirement refers to the demand of "completing the lunar orbiting project with high standard, high quality and high efficiency" made by Premier Wen Jiabao in 2004.

(Chinanews March 27, 2006)