China's first manned spacecraft Shenzhou V has carried crop seeds from Taiwan into space, said a senior Chinese space official in Beijing Thursday.

"We did this because it is good for farmers on both sides of the Taiwan Straits," said Xie Mingbao, director of China Manned Space Engineering Office at a press conference.

Xie said so far there was still no plan for space cooperation across the Taiwan Straits, but added, "We are willing to actively promote anything that will benefit Taiwan compatriots."

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)