China's success in its first manned space flight marks the completion of its first-step task and conditions are now mature for the second step of the nation's manned space program, a person in charge of the project said on January 29.

The successful first manned space flight, which embodies the country's achievements in the space program in 11 years, is a historic breakthrough, as displayed in the following facts.

A whole research and testing system of manned spaceship has been established, which laid foundation for the sustainable development of China's manned space program.

Striding development with high starting point and high performance has been realized; the general project plan is correct and technological requirements rational; plans for sub-systems are correct and performance of these systems could reach the general technological standards; systems could work in coordination and following tasks are taken into consideration. All these bear in general Chinese characteristics and technological advancement.

The country has mastered the basic technologies required by manned space mission, including those in astronaut selecting and training, as well as their health and life guarantee; highly reliable carrier rocket; manned spaceship; manned spaceship launching; manned space flight communication and flight control; astronaut rescue in normal and urgent circumstances; effective loading and platform supporting.

The country also completed its planned to-the-ground observation, space experiments and other tasks, and gained a large batch of high-level technological results.

Feasibility study has begun for the follow-up task of the manned space program, and related departments will strive to produce high-level results according to pre-set timetable, the person in charge said.

(People's Daily February 2, 2004)