SPACE TREK China on track with its extraterrestrial mission
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OPINION: GIST OF PEOPLE’S DEMOCRACY P.24 | FEATURES: GREATER IPR PROTECTION P.36
VOL.64 NO.19 MAY 13, 2021 WWW.BJREVIEW.COM
SPACE TREK
China on track with its RMB6.00
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extraterrestrial mission
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JPY188 邮发代号2-922·国内统一刊号：CN11-1576/G2
CONTENTS
EDITOR’S DESK OPINION FEATURES
02 A New Height of 24 How People’s Democracy 32 Progress on a New Front
Cooperation Works in China SCO expo boosts regional trade and beyond
It outperforms the Western 36 On the Fringes of Public Property
model in many ways IPR protection strengthens
THIS WEEK
26 China’s Cooperation 40 Life-Saving Drugs
COVER STORY Initiative Beneficial to All Drive to ensure supply of scarce medicines
12 Another Giant Leap Belarus’ ambassador shares
42 An Injection of Hope
China’s space station vision his thoughts
China develops vaccines for hand, foot and
closer to reality 27 Australia Misses the mouth disease
18 Sharing the Pie Wood for the Trees
In the Sky Domestic political competition
Industry players call for fixing scuttles Belt and Road MOUs CULTURE
problems together 28 Challenge the Challenger 46 A Transboundary Trial
20 Sky Rocketing New bill creates more hurdles Kunqu Opera meets the ballet
Private sector finds in China-U.S. ties
opportunity in launch vehicles EXPAT’S EYE
48 Vaseline on the Lens
An American bride becomes an album star
Cover Photo: The Long March-5B Y2 rocket,
carrying the core module of China’s space
station, blasts off from the Wenchang
Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan Province
on April 29 (XINHUA)
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EDITOR’S DESK
A New Height of Cooperation
Sixty years ago, Soviet astronaut Yuri In the past 65 years, China has made
Gagarin journeyed into outer space, ush- substantial progress in rockets, satellites,
A News Weekly Magazine
ering Earth into the era of space flights. manned spaceflights and extraterrestrial
Published Since 1958
Five years prior to that, Qian Xuesen, planetary probes. It has become a lead-
President: Li Yafang father of China’s space technology, ing country in a number of important
set up China’s first rocket and missile technologies via self-reliance and inde-
Associate Editor in Chief: Li Jianguo
Associate President: Yan Ying
research institute, marking the start of pendent innovation.
China’s space explorations. China seeks to utilize outer space for
Content Director: Liu Yunyun
From the pioneering effort, China’s peaceful purposes, economic development,
Executive Editor: Yan Wei
Associate Executive Editors: Zan Jifang, Ding Ying
Production Director: Yao Bin space odyssey reached a new tech- national security, and science and technol-
nology milestone on April 29, when ogy development. Its ultimate aim is to
Editorial Administrators: Zeng Wenhui, Hou Beibei
Assistant Executive Editor: Li Fangfang
Commentator: Lan Xinzhen construction of the Chinese space sta- raise domestic scientific ability, protect
Editors: Wang Hairong, Li Nan
Editorial Consultants: Sudeshna Sarkar, Madhusudan Chaubey, tion Tiangong started with the launch national interests and rights, and promote
Elsbeth van Paridon
Reporters: Tang Yuankai, Wang Jun, Pan Xiaoqiao, Yuan Yuan,
of its core module, Tianhe, which will human civilization and social progress.
Ji Jing, Lu Yan, Wen Qing, Li Qing, Li Xiaoyang, Ma Miaomiao, function as the management and control All countries have equal right to
Zhang Shasha, Tao Xing, Tao Zihui
Visual Director: Pamela Tobey
center of the space station. peacefully explore, develop and utilize
Photo Editor: Wang Xiang Building a space station and space outer space and celestial bodies. China
laboratory is the final stage in the three- maintains that international exchanges
Photographer: Wei Yao
Art: Li Shigong
Design Director: Wang Yajuan step strategic plan for manned space and cooperation should be strengthened
projects. The first step was sending on the basis of equality and mutual ben-
Chief Designer: Cui Xiaodong
Designer: Zhao Boyu
Proofreading: Ma Xin
astronauts into space, following in efit, peaceful utilization and inclusive
Human Resources: Zhang Yajie
Legal Counsel: Yue Cheng
Gagarin’s footsteps, and the second was development.
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Now, as part of the third stage, the clusive. During the past decades, it has
Africa Bureau Chinese space station is expected to be been participating in space activities
ready for service in 2022. That is the sponsored by international organiza-
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2 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com
THIS WEEK
XINHUA
BOOMING TOURISM
Young travelers pose for photos at the site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which
was held in late July 1921 in Shanghai, on May 4.
The country witnessed a total of 230 million domestic tourist trips during the May Day holiday from May 1 to
May 5, up 119.7 percent from last year. Tourism revenue reached 113.23 billion yuan (about $17.5 billion), up 138.1
percent from last year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on May 5.
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 3
THIS WEEK SOCIETY
XINHUA
and reform commission said.
Fishing Ban
An annual summer fishing ban
began on May 1 in China’s major
seas in the north, east and south
to preserve marine fishery.
The fishing ban covers the
Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, East
China Sea, and the waters north
of 12 degrees north latitude in
the South China Sea.
The moratorium in the South
China Sea lasts until August 16.
During the ban, safety inspec-
tions on fishing gear and a clean-
up of illegal fishing vessels will
be implemented across Hainan
Province. China first imposed its
annual fishing ban in the South
China Sea back in 1999.
More than 50,000 fish-
ing boats in Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region and the
provinces of Guangdong and
Bicycle Fair Hainan suspend operations dur-
ing the fishing suspension.
Visitors view bicycles during the 30th China International Bicycle Fair in Shanghai on May 5. The four-day On April 30, a joint special
event kicked off that day, drawing over 1,000 enterprises to participate. law enforcement action executed
by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Affairs, the Ministry
of Public Security, and the
China Coast Guard launched in
Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, to
Sea Levels China’s coast were 73 mm higher
than in normal years, reaching
with 1,650 tons of bauxite depart
for Qinzhou Port in Guangxi prevent illegal marine fishery
China’s coastal areas face in- their third highest point since Zhuang Autonomous Region, activities during the fishing ban.
creasing risks as sea levels along 1980. from where the cargo would be The fishing ban lasts until
the coast have continued to rise China should protect its shipped abroad. September 1 for the Yellow Sea
at an accelerated pace in the past shores based on the ecological The port is a key station and the Bohai Sea waters north
40 years, according to official concept and comprehensively listed in the development plan of of 35 degrees north latitude.
accounts, Xinhua News Agency improve the adaptability to rising the New International Land-Sea The summer ban involves
reported on May 3. sea levels, the report added. Trade Corridor, a trade and logis- more than 100,000 fishing ships
The sea level will rise by 55 tics passage jointly constructed and nearly 1 million fishermen
to 170 mm in the next 30 years, Logistics Port by Singapore and provincial- nationwide.
according to a bulletin released An international land-sea logis- level regions of west China.
by the Ministry of Natural tics port has started operations The port connects some of Leashing Dogs
Resources. in Guizhou Province with an China’s major railway lines and Dog owners must now keep their
From 1980 to 2020, sea levels annual transportation capacity the Yangtze River Economic Belt, furry friends on a leash in out-
along the coast climbed at a rate of approximately 5 million tons, and is expected to strengthen door areas as China’s revised Law
of 3.4 mm per year with fluctua- Xinhua reported on May 3. Guizhou’s link with economic on Animal Epidemic Prevention
tions, the report said, adding that The Dulaying international hubs of west China such as took effect on May 1.
the rise exceeded the global aver- land-sea logistics port, located Chengdu in Sichuan Province Previously, only local
age during the same period. in the provincial capital Guiyang, and Chongqing Municipality, the regulations in selected provincial
In 2020, sea levels along recently saw its first train loaded Guizhou provincial development regions required dog owners
4 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com
THIS WEEK
XINHUA
to keep their pets on a leash in statement on May 3.
public areas. Some of the rescuees had
Chinese lawmakers adopted been separated from their
the revision in January in a bid families for several years. They
to prevent dogs from harming have been sent back home with
people, as well as to reduce the the help of local public security
transmission of infectious diseases. bureaus, the statement added.
Dogs should also wear a dog In a nationwide campaign
tag, be inoculated against rabies targeting child abduction,
and registered with local authori- public security organs across
ties, according to the law. the country have managed to
Many people took to social crack numerous child trafficking
media to voice their support for cases with the help of an “anti-
the new provisions. “Finally, I abduction DNA system” and an
won’t be bothered by dogs that online platform for releasing the
run into me abruptly,” reads one victims’ information.
comment on China’s Twitter-like Calling for more efforts to
platform Weibo. investigate and detain suspects,
“Ultimately, it’s not a bad the ministry urged the public to
thing for dog owners and their
pets,” wrote another netizen who
support anti-abduction opera-
tions and help reunite missing Animation Carnival
claimed that she always uses a children with their families. Cartoon characters and cosplayers parade in Jingshan Township
leash to walk her dog, adding that in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, on May 2 during an
“it will keep dogs from hurting Monkey Conservation animation carnival. The event was held from May 1 to 5.
each other and prevent them from Yunnan Province has achieved
car accidents.” remarkable results in the conser-
Some dog lovers also called vation of snub-nosed monkeys,
for the creation of pet-friendly also called “golden hair mon-
parks in cities for dogs to play keys,” and the population of the monitoring and evaluation of Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
off-leash. species has now increased to more Yunnan golden hair monkeys, Red List. The monkeys inhabit
than 3,300, covering 23 varieties. according to the provincial the mountainous forests of the
Rescued Children A green book on the forestry and grassland bureau. province and its neighboring
Chinese authorities have rescued outcomes of conservation ef- The Yunnan golden Tibet Autonomous Region.
more than 700 missing or forts involving the endangered hair monkeys are listed as There were around 1,000 to
abducted children, and arrested species in the province revealed national first-class rare and 1,500 Yunnan golden hair mon-
86 suspects since the beginning the most recent numbers. It endangered protected species keys of 13 varieties in 1996, and
of 2021, the Ministry of Public documents the entire process of by China and as vulnerable 3,000 of 18 varieties in 2006, the
Security announced in a comprehensive and systematic on the International Union for bureau said.
XINHUA
Tea Stir-Frying
Competition
People stir and roast fresh tea leaves during a competition in Sanshi,
a village in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, on April 30.
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 5
THIS WEEK ECONOMY
Gold Consumption Manufacturing PMI The non-manufacturing PMI
stood at 54.9 percent in April,
renewable energy develop-
ment amid its transition to a
Gold consumption soared 93.9 Data from the National Bureau down 1.4 percentage points from low-carbon economy. It has an-
percent year on year to 288.2 of Statistics (NBS) on April the March figure, according to the nounced that it will peak carbon
tons in China in the first quarter 30 showed the purchasing NBS. dioxide emissions before 2030
(Q1) of the year, recovering to the managers’ index (PMI) for the But the sub-indexes for and achieve carbon neutrality
level in the same period of 2019, manufacturing sector came in business activities in rail services, before 2060.
according to data from China at 51.1 percent in April, slightly air transportation and accom-
Gold Association (CGA) on May 1. down from 51.9 percent in March.
A reading above 50 percent
modation exceeded 60 percent, Inclusive Finance
In Q1, consumption of gold indicating the rapid growth of In Q1, inclusive finance loans in-
jewelry surged 83.81 percent indicates expansion, and below business volumes in these areas, creased 1.96 trillion yuan ($302.9
from a year earlier to 169.18 tons, that mark, contraction. according to Zhao. billion), 925.9 billion yuan ($143
The manufacturing PMI con- billion) more than during the
while that of gold coins and bars
went up 155.67 percent to 96.31
tinued to expand on the basis of Renewable Energy same period last year, according
the apparent rebound in March, As of the end of March, China’s to the People’s Bank of China.
tons.
weakening somewhat but still installed capacity of renewable By the end of the period,
Gold used for industrial and
higher than the level of the same energy totaled more than outstanding inclusive finance
other purposes amounted to period of 2019 and 2020, ac-
22.71 tons, up 20.03 percent year 948 million kw, data from the loans stood at 23.46 trillion yuan
cording to NBS senior statistician National Energy Administration ($3.6 trillion), up 28 percent year
on year. Zhao Qinghe. showed. Wind, solar, hydro and on year.
The CGA attributed the The sub-index for production biomass power accounted for Inclusive finance lending
strong gold demand to a stood at 52.2 percent, down 1.7 287 million kw, 259 million kw, refers to loans to micro, small
stable recovery of the domestic percentage points from March, 371 million kw and 31.49 million and self-employed businesses,
economy and lower gold prices. while that for new orders shrank kw, respectively. farmers, students and people
China produced 74.44 tons 1.6 percentage points to 52 per- In Q1, 475.47 billion kWh of living in poverty.
of gold in Q1, down 9.92 percent cent. The sub-index for inventory electricity were generated from The government has rolled
compared with the same period of raw materials was 48.3 percent, these sources. out various measures to offer
last year. down 0.1 percentage point. China is forging ahead in much-needed credit to firms
NUMBERS
($1=6.5 yuan)
Industrial Enterprises’ Profit by Business Type Industrial Enterprises’ Growth by Business Type
January-March (bln yuan) January-March (% y.o.y.)
1,500 250
1,279.27
1,250 199
200
1,000 161
150 129
750
616.54
512.81 516.33 100 91.9
500
250 50
0 0
State-holding Shareholding Foreign-, Hong Privately State-holding Shareholding Foreign-, Privately
enterprises corporations Kong-, Macao- and owned enterprises corporations Hong Kong-, Macao- owned
Taiwan-funded and Taiwan-funded
6 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com
THIS WEEK
and individuals affected by
COVID-19, including targeted
SME Recovery expectations continued to
improve, and cash strains were
Conservancy Funds
reserve requirement ratio cuts for The vitality of small and eased, the association said, cit- The Ministry of Finance has
small banks. medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) ing stimulus measures such as allocated 57.4 billion yuan
improved in Q1 as the economy targeted monetary policies from ($8.88 billion) to subsidize
IPR Protection further recovered from the im-
pact of COVID-19, according to
the central bank that lowered local water conservancy
projects so far this year, up 3.1
Two new intellectual property financing pressure.
China Association of Small and percent from the same period
right (IPR) protection centers will
be established in the cities of Zibo
Medium Enterprises.
The Small and Medium
Wealth Management of 2020.
To reduce damage caused
and Dezhou, Shandong Province, The banking wealth manage-
Enterprises Development Index, by floods and droughts, 45
the National Intellectual Property ment market expanded and saw
based on a survey of 3,000 com- percent of the funds, or 25.9
Administration (NIPA) said on more new investors in Q1, ac-
April 30. panies, hit 87.5, the highest level cording to China Banking Wealth billion yuan ($4 billion), will
They will provide more ef- since the same period last year. Management Registration and be used to reinforce small
ficient services for enterprises in The index contains multiple Depository Center. dilapidated reservoirs, harness
the industries of new materials sub-indexes to gauge the per- The banking system had small and medium-sized rivers,
and biomedicine, according to formances and expectations 25.03 trillion yuan ($3.87 trillion) of and enhance the prevention of
the administration. of SMEs. A reading above 100 outstanding wealth management mountain torrents.
By setting up IPR protection reflects an upward trend in products at the end of March, up Better efforts will be made
centers in cooperation with local business, and below that mark, a 7.02 percent year on year. to control the overextraction of
governments since 2016, the downward trend. In the January-March period, groundwater in north China.
NIPA aims to solve difficulties The macroeconomic, financ- investors in these products rose The funds are expected to
in the collection of evidence, as ing, cost and labor force sub- to 49.8 million, up 19.63 percent raise water use efficiency and
well as reduce the duration and indexes were all above 100 in the from the beginning of the year. upgrade water-conservation fa-
cost of investigations. January-March period. The outstanding funds chan- cilities in medium-sized irrigation
China has 43 IPR protection During the period, business neled to the real economy stood areas, while soil erosion and rural
centers nationwide, including those confidence among SMEs at 22.21 trillion yuan ($3.4 trillion) drinking water safety will also be
currently under construction. was further restored, market at the end of 2020. addressed.
Industrial Enterprises’ Profit by Sector Profit Changes for Major Sectors
January-March (bln yuan) January-March (% y.o.y.)
Automobile 843
151.95
Mining
Nonferrous metal smelting and processing 471
Ferrous metal smelting and processing 388
Chemical raw material and product manufacturing 343
General equipment manufacturing 119
Coal mining and washing 94.3
Non-metal mineral product manufacturing 69.1
1,536.63 Electricity, heat production and supply 50.7
Manufacturing
Textile 40.4
Agricultural byproduct and byproduct processing 28.9
136.8
Petroleum and natural gas exploration 18.4
Electricity, thermal, fuel gas
and water production and supply 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
(Source: National Bureau of Statistics)
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 7
THIS WEEK WORLD
XINHUA
XINHUA
INDIA MEXICO
People wait to refill empty medical oxygen The site of a partially collapsed
cylinders for COVID-19 patients in front of metro overpass in Mexico City
a shop in New Delhi on May 5. India’s total on May 4. At least 25 people
number of confirmed COVID-19 cases were killed and 80 others
reached 20.7 million on May 6, injured in the accident
with 226,188 deaths
RUSSIA
Unmanned aerial vehicles spell out St. Petersburg in the
sky during the First International Drone Festival
in St. Petersburg on May 2
XINHUA
8 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comTHIS WEEK
AUSTRALIA
A band performs at the Canberra International
Music Festival on April 30. The 10-day event ended
on May 9
XINHUA
XINHUA
TURKEY
A picture taken in Istanbul on May 3
shows the result of a full lockdown
that began on April 29 and is set
to last until May 17. The measure
is hoped to help reduce COVID-19
cases ahead of the tourism season
BRITAIN
Participants pose for a group photo
during the first in-person meeting
of the foreign and development
ministers of the Group of Seven in
two years in London on May 4
XINHUA
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 9THIS WEEK PEOPLE & POINTS
ALL EYES ON MEITUAN DIANPING
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation on April 26 launched an investiga-
tion into the shopping platform and food delivery giant Meituan Dianping for alleged
monopoly conduct including the implementation of an “exclusive dealing agreement.”
Meituan was also found to have coerced merchants into ending their transactions with
its competitors.
Wang Xing, 42, born in Fujian Province, is the founder and CEO of Meituan. He
graduated from Tsinghua University with a bachelor’s degree in elec-
tronic engineering in 2001, and went on to receive his master’s
degree in computer engineering from the University of Delaware in
2005.
In 2010, he founded the group-buying site Meituan. It was huge-
ly successful and merged with Dianping in 2015 to become Meituan
Dianping, which went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
in 2018. As of January 2021, Forbes estimated Wang’s net worth at
$28.8 billion.
for choosing staggered shared parking.
Shared Parking About 25 to 30 percent of Beijing park-
Economic Daily ing lots are left empty; by sharing parking
space, the crush on parking lots will be
April 26
Searching for parking space has long been
alleviated and their actual usage rate will Mission of Universities
go up.
a headache for those residing in China’s Smart technologies, too, can come in Outlook Weekly
metropolises, especially for those working in handy when solving China’s parking prob- April 26
the central business districts of the first- and lems. With shared parking services such as China’s esteemed Tsinghua University
second-tier cities. Data show that as of late smart apps in place, users can rent surplus celebrated its 110th anniversary on April
2020, there was a shortage of some 80 mil- parking spots for a time span as short as 25. Over the past 110 years since its in-
lion parking spaces across the country. one hour or as long as a few months. ception, Tsinghua has cultivated pioneers
Most recently, Haidian District in Expectations are that all regions will in the fields of science, engineering,
Beijing launched a shared parking initia- come up with more measures to improve business, culture and politics.
tive accompanied by a kind of “parking governance efficiency, to form a shared Tsinghua’s reform, human resources
subsidy.” Residents can get a subsidy of parking development model that benefits development, education innovation
150 yuan ($23.14) per month, provided citizens and activates parking space re-
by parking management companies, sources.
“A new stipulation has been added to “We will take all necessary
guarantee seed safety, which includes countermeasures against such moves.
strengthening the protection and use This warning should be heeded before
of germ plasm resources and building it is too late. This will only aggravate
seed banks.” the tension across the Taiwan Strait...”
Li Fei, a senior legislator with the Constitution and Law Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office
Committee of the National People’s Congress, explaining of the State Council, commenting on Taiwan’s Democratic
a draft law on promoting rural vitalization, in an interview Progressive Party authority amending the island’s so-called
with China Daily, on April 29. “constitution,” on April 29
10 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comTHIS WEEK
violations by both streamers and platforms.
Live-Streaming Marketing A trial guideline was rolled out on April 24 to
as well as scientific research have an regulate the booming live-streaming market-
People.com.cn
important part in serving national devel- ing industry, according to the Cyberspace
opment. In 2020, it led 30 of China’s key
April 24 Administration of China (CAC).
scientific research projects, ranking first Official data showed that as the world’s The guideline, jointly issued by the CAC
among universities nationwide for five largest online retail market for eight years and six other authorities, aims to protect the
consecutive years. Over the past three running, China saw more than 24 million rights and interests of consumers and minors
years, Tsinghua set up 25 rural vitaliza- live-streaming marketing activities in 2020, and avoid risks such as false advertising and
tion work stations in 15 provinces and as a legion of leading influencers became the sales of counterfeit or substandard goods.
municipalities, which convened more household names through their online sales. The authorities should devise more
than 1,500 teachers and students nation- Nevertheless, its growth has been measures to manage the oversight of live-
wide introducing science and technology marked by complaints that some sellers streaming platforms, so as to enhance
to assist rural development programs. were infringing upon consumer rights and information security and protect personal
Over the past 20 years, more than 360 interests to boost their popularity and profits. information. Live-streaming platforms
Tsinghua alumni volunteered to teach in China has recently issued a series of regu- should also handle consumer complaints
China’s less-developed regions such as lations to better monitor the live-streaming in a timely manner and provide evidence
Tibet Autonomous Region, and Qinghai e-commerce market and crack down on when disputes occur.
and Gansu provinces, helping tens of PASSING OF A PEKING OPERA MAESTRO
thousands of rural students.
The university has cooperated with Famous Peking Opera artist Du Jinfang, the representative inheritor of the national intangible
293 universities from more than 50 cultural heritage, passed away in Beijing at the age of 89 on April 17.
countries and furthermore has signed Du, born in Beijing, a pupil of Mei Lanfang, one of the greatest Peking opera artists
almost 20 strategic sci-tech cooperation in modern Chinese theater, starred in many classical works and created scientific vocal
agreements. methods for female protagonists in the art.
Top Chinese universities will take Du started singing on stage at the age of 10, then became a devoted student of Mei in
on a bigger role in the country’s devel- 1949. Since the 1950s, she had starred in traditional Peking Opera
opment as the world’s second largest chapters, new compilations or adapted plays and modern dramas
economy vows to become an innovation such as Red Detachment of Women, fully demonstrating her pro-
powerhouse. Tsinghua, one of the most found traditional opera skills and ability to create and perform new
prestigious universities in China, is un- plays. Crossing a time span of six decades, she created dozens of
doubtedly an important player along the new plays.
journey. After bidding adieu to the stage in her later years, Du still taught
apprentices until well into her late 80s.
“China’s recovery from the pandemic “Labeling the relationship between
gives hope to the world. Hainan’s today’s leading economies ‘Cold War 2.0’
International Consumer Products Expo misses the mark. Such a notion clashes
is a practical step to bring such hope with the Chinese outlook, society and
to other countries.” even the very nature of its government.”
Xiong Yu, a professor at the Britain-based Surrey Alessandro Golombiewski Teixeira, a professor at the
Business School in the University of Surrey, in an interview School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University,
with Xinhua News Agency on May 5 commenting on China-U.S. relations in an article posted by
CGTN on May 4
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 11COVER STORY
ANOTHER
GIANT LEAP
A new chapter in extraterrestrial exploration opens with the launch of
the ‘control room’ of China’s space station By Li Qing
12 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comA
t 11:23 a.m. on April 29, The second stage was to test key tech-
a rocket blasted off from nologies needed for a permanent space
the Wenchang Spacecraft station, including extra-vehicular activities
Launch Site in Hainan and orbital docking. In 2008, fighter pilot
Province, carrying the core Zhai Zhigang ventured out of the Earth-
section of China’s space station. orbiting Shenzhou-7 spacecraft and walked
After traveling a little over eight minutes in space, becoming China’s first taikonaut to
on the domestically developed Long March- leave a “footprint in the universe.”
5B Y2 rocket, the module, named Tianhe, To amass more experience for develop-
which means harmony of the heavens, sepa- ing a space station, an experimental space
rated from the rocket and entered into orbit. lab, Tiangong-1, was lifted up in 2011 to
A key step in the construction of the space test the technologies for rendezvous and
station that is expected to be completed next docking between spacecraft. A month later,
year, Tianhe will act as the management and Shenzhou-8 entered into orbit and accom-
control hub of the station as well as a node plished the first automatic rendezvous and
for docking with other spacecraft, up to docking with Tiangong-1.
three at a time, including both manned and In 2016, an improved version,
cargo spacecraft. Tiangong-2 was launched. It docked with
The successful launch marks China’s Tianzhou-1, China’s first cargo spacecraft,
space station construction entering the full in April 2017, which also carried out the
implementation stage, laying a solid foun- first in-orbit refueling.
dation for follow-up tasks, President Xi So far, China has launched 11 manned
Jinping said in a congratulatory message. spacecraft, one cargo spacecraft, and
The space station, Tiangong or heav- Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2 into space, as
enly palace, will be a crewed space station well as sent 11 astronauts, and completed the
independently built with homegrown tech- first two steps of its manned space program.
nologies. Besides Tianhe, it will have two “Progressing steadily with systematic
other sections, Wentian and Mengtian. and long-term planning—this is an example
Expected to be launched next year, these are of how we do things,” Zhou Jianping, chief
the space laboratories for conducting experi- designer of the Chinese manned space pro-
ments in a wide range of areas including gram, told Xinhua News Agency.
China launches the core module space medicine, technology and life science. The third step is to assemble and oper-
of its space station from the
Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site “Building a space station and national ate a permanently crewed space station. The
in Hainan Province on April 29 space laboratory is an important goal of the successful flight of the new large carrier
three-step strategy of China’s manned space rocket Long March-5B in 2020 inaugurated
program, and an important leading project to the new stage in the manned space program.
boost the country’s strength in science and With work having started on assembling a
technology, as well as in space,” Xi said. space station that will be permanently crewed,
four more missions have to be completed
Three-step plan this year. The Tianzhou-2 cargo spacecraft
When China’s manned space program and Shenzhou-12 manned craft will dock
started in 1992, the first step was to send with Tianhe. The three astronauts aboard
astronauts into space and have them return Shenzhou-12 will enter the module and
safely. Shenzhou-1, the country’s first ex- stay in orbit for three months. Then, cargo
perimental manned spacecraft, was launched spacecraft Tianzhou-3 and manned space-
with no crew in 1999 and four years later, ship Shenzhou-13 will dock with Tianhe, and
Shenzhou-5 successfully sent Yang Liwei, another three astronauts will begin their six-
China’s first astronaut into space. Yang, a month stay in orbit. So far, the longest stay in
military pilot, was 38 at that time. The mile- space by Chinese astronauts has been 33 days.
stone feat made China the third country to Tianhe will also be a platform for sci-
send astronauts into space. entists to verify key technologies, such as
XINHUA
s
s
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 13flexible solar wings that are used to side. It is designed to serve 10 years at the China Academy of Space Technology under
provide electricity for spacecraft. “It in low-Earth orbit at an altitude of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.
is bound to enrich our understand- 340 km to 450 km. However, the (CASC), told Xinhua.
ing of the universe and promote the lifespan can exceed 15 years with He said the station would be able to support
development of science, technology maintenance. maximum six astronauts together. If the Tiangong-1
and applications,” Zhou said. “Every “We will learn how to as- and Tiangong-2 are like one-bedroom apartments,
mission is a test for our organiza- semble, operate and maintain large the space station can be regarded as a spacious apart-
tion, management, technology and spacecraft in orbit, and we aim to ment with three bedrooms, a living room, a dining
support ability.” build Tiangong into a state-level room and a storage, more than six times the area of
space lab supporting the long stay Tiangong-2.
A home in space of astronauts and large-scale scien- Crewed and cargo spaceships will be launched
When completed, the space station tific, technological and application regularly for long-term manned presence to carry out
will be T-shaped with Tianhe at the experiments,” Bai Linhou, deputy in-orbit research and services. The station will pro-
center and a lab capsule on each chief designer of the space station vide the visitors with a comfortable environment, and
zones for work, sleep, sanitation, dining, healthcare
and exercise with convenient facilities and advanced
VCG
technology.
Getting to know China’s space station For instance, in Tianhe, the crew will be supported
by a new system that recycles urine, exhaled breath
condensate and carbon dioxide for different uses, such
as flushing toilets or experiments. This will reduce the
Core module
load of the spacecraft and cut operating costs.
“We will develop the technology step by step,
Space laboratory II first recycling water and oxygen in Tiangong, and
then planting vegetables and crops in space to gradu-
Cargo spaceship ally realize food self-sufficiency,” Bai said.
Global cooperation
After 2024, the International Space Station (ISS),
Space laboratory I currently the only space station in orbit, built and op-
erated by the space agencies of several countries, is
due to retire. If that happens, then Tiangong, about a
quarter of the size of the ISS, could be the only space
Manned spacecraft station in Earth’s orbit at that time.
China is not a partner in the ISS consortium, nor
has any Chinese astronaut visited the station. Initially
excluded as the fledgling Chinese space agency was
regarded as being too inexperienced to contribute to
space programs, China has still not been included
despite the rapid development of its domestic space
endeavors. However, the Chinese Government has
said that it would welcome international participation
Long March-5B Y2 rocket in Tiangong.
“The station will contribute to the peaceful de-
velopment and utilization of space resources through
international cooperation,” Bai said.
A white paper published in 2017 clarifies China’s
position on space development, saying it is for peace-
ful purposes and opposed to militarization of space.
China welcomes UN members to use the space station
and has announced nine international projects with
14 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comback samples. It had started in 2004
XINHUA
and last December, the return cap-
sule of the Chang’e-5 lunar probe
touched down in Inner Mongolia
Autonomous Region, bringing back
samples from Moon.
In 2016, the number of space
launches reached 22 in China, then to
39 in 2020. In 2021, the CASC alone
has over 40 space launches planned,
and the total number is likely to be
higher with other companies, espe-
cially commercial space companies,
also planning similar ventures.
In the 14th Five-Year Plan
(2021-25) period, priority sci-
ence and technology projects in
aerospace will be promoted and
A visitor at an exhibition featuring space science and achievements during the 2021 China aerospace will be boosted as a
Space Conference in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, on April 24 strategic emerging industry, Zhang
Kejian, head of the China National
the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). in 1975, China for the first time Space Administration, said.
China also looks forward to foreign astronauts’ par- launched three satellites on one rock- These will include the lunar ex-
ticipation in the space station in the future because et in 1981, another breakthrough in ploration program’s fourth phase,
international cooperation will promote understanding space technology. Four years later, in which China plans to build an in-
between countries as well as lower costs. it announced its decision to enter ternational lunar research station on
So far, 17 countries have confirmed their partici- the international commercial launch Moon, interplanetary exploration
pation in the nine projects and in the future, China market, making the first foray into such as asteroid reconnaissance,
and UNOOSA will continue to explore more coop- the international space industry in heavy-lift carrier rockets, and reus-
eration projects. 1987, providing launch services for able space transportation systems.
European aerospace manufacturer For instance, China’s first in-
From past to future Aerospatiale Matra. dependent interplanetary mission,
China’s progress in space technologies and activities However, the path of self- Tianwen-1, is scheduled to land a
prove that innovation with self-reliance is the foun- reliance does not mean excluding rover on Mars soon for scientific
dation of a country’s development of cutting-edge international cooperation and tests. It entered the Mars orbit on
science, Wang Yajun, a CASC executive, said at a exchange but introducing foreign February 10, following a nearly
forum of China Space Conference on April 25. The technologies in a selective way to seven-month voyage from Earth,
conference was organized by the Chinese Society of enhance research and development and sent back images of the red
Astronautics in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. efficiency, Wang said, adding, “We planet in March.
After the founding of the People’s Republic of should hold an inclusive attitude, A space infrastructure system
China in 1949, there were unremitting efforts to and at the same time, adhere to for communication, navigation and
develop advanced technologies despite restricted fi- Chinese characteristics.” remote sensing is also included in
nancial, talent and technical resources. Last year, construction of the the plan to provide services to the
In 1970, China’s first artificial Earth satellite homegrown global navigation sys- world and make better contribu-
Dongfanghong-1 was successfully launched, mark- tem BeiDou was completed. Started tions to humanity’s use of space,
ing the beginning of the nation’s extraterrestrial in the 1990s, it was constructed in Zhang said. BR
exploration. “That also helped strengthen China’s na- three stages.
tional defense capability and promoted its scientific Last year also saw the success-
and technological development as well as economic ful conclusion of China’s three- Copyedited by
growth,” Wang said. step lunar exploration program
Sudeshna Sarkar
Comments to
After launching its first recoverable satellite of orbiting, landing, and bringing liqing@bjreview.com
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 15Historical Moments in Ch
September 20, 1981
November 26, 1975 China for the first time launched three
China launched its first recoverable satellites on one rocket, achieving a new
satellite, which returned after breakthrough in space technology.
completing its mission in three days.
The technological breakthrough saw
China become the third country
worldwide to master retrievable
satellite technology.
August 1987
China made its first foray into the
international commercial launch industry,
with launching service for European
aerospace manufacturer Aerospatiale
Matra.
April 24, 1970
China successfully launched
its first artificial Earth satellite,
Dongfanghong-1, marking the beginning
of the nation’s extraterrestrial exploration.
December 17, 2020
The return capsule of the Chang’e-5 probe touched
down on Earth. The event marked the successful
conclusion of the country’s current three-step lunar July 23, 2020
exploration, which began in 2004. Tianwen-1, China’s first Mars probe,
was launched. It entered the Mars orbit
on February 10 and is expected to land
16 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.com
on the red planet in May or June.ina’s Space Exploration
October 15, 2003
The Shenzhou-5 manned spaceship blasted
into space, embarking on China’s first manned
spaceflight, with Yang Liwei on board.
November 20, 1999
The first unmanned experimental September 27, 2008
spacecraft of China, Shenzhou-1,
lifted off. The craft landed in Inner Astronaut Zhai Zhigang ventured out of the
Mongolia Autonomous Region Earth-orbiting Shenzhou-7 spacecraft,，becoming
after 21 hours in orbit, completing China’s first spacewalker.
its maiden flight.
August 16, 2016
Micius, the world’s first quantum
satellite, was launched. The satellite
was built to establish “hack-proof”
quantum communication from
space to Earth and provide insights
into quantum entanglement.
January 3, 2019
The Chang’e-4 lunar probe landed on the
far side of Moon. So far, it is the only probe
that has landed on that side of Moon.
December 27, 2019
China’s largest carrier rocket, Long March-5 Y3,
lifted off from Hainan Province. Its flight laid the
groundwork for ensuing space projects.
June 23, 2020
The 55th satellite of the BeiDou Navigation
Satellite System was launched into orbit,
marking the completion of China’s
homegrown global navigation system.
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 17COVER STORY
SHARING THE PIE
IN THE SKY
Space industry players urge cooperation for global and generational benefits
By Li Qing
S
ince Soviet Union astronaut was postponed to “early 2022” and space such as Elon Musk’s SpaceX, established as
Yuri Gagarin became the since then, there has been no up- early as in 2002 with the goal of establishing colo-
first person to fly in space date. nies on Mars, China’s commercial space industry is
in 1961, the exploration of the uni- “The service will be ini- still in the primary stage, Zhao Qiming, a researcher
verse has changed stupendously. In tially accessible to those with with the Third Institute of China Aerospace Science
2001, Dennis Tito, a U.S. billion- immense wealth,” Wu said. and Industry Corp. (CASIC), said.
aire, reportedly paid $20 million for “But in the future, space tourism A white paper on China’s space activities released
an eight-day trip in space, becom- should be affordable for the rich, in 2017 stressed the importance of non-governmental
ing the world’s first space tourist. if not the middle-income group.” capital in space-related activities, including research
Although the price of a seven- He hoped that with the development and production, space infrastructure, information
to-nine-day space trip has since of the industry and technology, products and services, and satellite application, to en-
jumped to $57 million, the global Chinese companies will also cap- hance the commercialization of the space industry.
space travel market still has a ture a slice of the international During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) pe-
huge demand, Wu Ji, a researcher space tourism market. “Commercial riod, more space infrastructure will be built, and the
with the National Space Science programs can help lower costs and capability of commercial space systems enhanced,
Center of the Chinese Academy improve the efficiency of space ac- integrating them into major national development
of Sciences, said at a workshop tivities, which will also benefit the strategies, Fu Zhimin, chief engineer of CASIC, said
on China-U.S. commercial space traditional players in this area,” he at a forum on April 26.
dialogue during the China Space said. Development of the commercial space sector
Conference held in east China’s will also boost strategic emerging sectors such as the
city Nanjing on April 25. A nascent sector digital economy, intelligent manufacturing and new
The workshop was jointly orga- However, unlike the U.S., which materials.
nized by three NGOs from China has veteran companies exploring “China will enhance international cooperation and
and the U.S.—the Chinese Society
of Astronautics, Caelus Foundation
and the Secure World Foundation.
American spaceflight company
“We are one global community when it comes to
Virgin Galactic, one of the first to space, which is a global marketplace facing a
jump into the fray, said early last
year that it had nearly 8,000 online regulatory challenge. I think it is our responsibility to
registrations of interest from 60
countries and territories. At that
address all of these issues together and to try to
time, the plan was to launch its first resolve them so the future generations will have
commercial space tourism flights in
2021, with a 90-minute journey to
access to space in the same way that we do.”
cost $250,000. However, the launch —Richard Dalbello, Vice President of Global Engagement, Virgin Galactic
18 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comfor communication and growing
COURTESY PHOTO
space debris, which is increasing the
potential risk for spacecraft, inter-
national space stations and manned
space activities.
“We are one global community
when it comes to space, which is a
global marketplace facing a regu-
latory challenge. I think it is our
responsibility to address all of these
issues together and to try to resolve
them so the future generations will
have access to space in the same
way that we do,” Dalbello said.
Zhao echoed him, saying
space resources belong to all; so
cooperation is the best way to har-
ness them. He proposed building a
Richard Dalbello, Vice President of Global Engagement, Virgin Galactic, addresses a workshop via shared mechanism with a satellite
video link during the China Space Conference in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, on April 25 constellation that can be customized
according to different demands. It
provide more commercial space services to global us- Zhao said, adding that technologies can be managed jointly with profits
ers,” Fu said. and products with significant inno- shared by the companies from dif-
Over 200 companies dealing in rockets, satel- vation should be developed. ferent countries that build it.
lites and their applications have emerged in China in “With more companies sharing
recent years. The industry has seen much progress, Global blueprint the cost, it will be less expensive to
including activities expanding from low-Earth orbit to A recent article published by CNN, operate and benefit more people.
outer space and integration of aerospace and marine Why China’s Space Program Could The lower cost will inject impetus
engineering technologies. Besides government sup- Overtake NASA, said that the space into quality infrastructure construc-
port, technology breakthroughs achieved in the past race in the 21st century is not so tion, which will form a virtuous
decades by traditional institutions provide the founda- much between governmental ac- cycle,” he said.
tion for emerging players such as China Rocket Co. tivities but between the Chinese Some U.S. companies still have
Set up in 2016, China Rocket provides flexible and U.S. commercial space indus- a stereotyped idea that China’s
and economical launch services such as the Jielong try. The competition has “already commercial aerospace industry is a
series of indigenously manufactured rockets that op- emerged in low-Earth orbit, [and] completely different business and
erate at competitive costs. Notably, the company is will extend to Moon and eventually that the role of the government,
also improving its sea launch technology and running Mars in the coming decades,” it pre- business models and even the defi-
research and development of reusable rockets. dicted. nition of “commercial” are different
The Chinese launch sites are mostly in deserts Richard Dalbello, Vice President from those in other countries.
or among mountains, which increases transportation of Global Engagement, Virgin Wu said China’s industry is
costs and reduces commercial efficiency. With sea Galactic, said competition in space developing in the same way as in
launches, commercial rocket companies can integrate is inevitable as technology advanc- the rest of the world, comprising
manufacturing and launch. es. But cooperation is necessary as an emerging corporate sector with
Jin Xin, Vice President of China Rocket, said there is still a substantial amount of fierce competition, government sup-
local governments are showing great interest in the work to be done by governments port, participation of capital, and
space industry. However, more support from the and others working in commercial promising players. BR
Central Government in policies, funds, and taxation is space. (Reporting from Nanjing,
still needed. “In return, the industry will promote lo- With all of these new technolo- Jiangsu Province)
cal economic development,” he said. gies, some of the older issues are
China’s commercial aerospace industry needs an also harder to address, he said, cit- Copyedited by Sudeshna Sarkar
improved supply chain with a better business model, ing the allocation of global spectrum Comments to liqing@bjreview.com
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 19COVER STORY
SKY ROCKETING
Private rocket developers in China have taken off, embarking
on a long march By Yuan Yuan
XINHUA
The carrier rocket CERES-1 developed by company Galactic Energy blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu Province
on November 7, 2020
C
hinese private rocket The success in 2019 has instilled confidence in Peng Xiaobo, founder of i-
developer, i-Space has suc- China’s private rocket developers and in turn helped Space, which is also known as
cessfully completed a test the company to secure more investment. One year Beijing Interstellar Glory Space
run on a new engine it hopes will after that launch, another private Chinese company, Technology, used to be a rocket
power its next test rocket later this Galactic Energy, was also able to successfully launch designer at the China Academy of
year. The breakthrough was made a satellite with its own rocket. Launch Vehicle Technology. He
on April 26, just three days before While the company’s failed launch in February established i-Space after seeing a
China’s launch of Tianhe, the core might have dampened some of the enthusiasm in market for commercial rockets.
module for its first permanent space China’s private rocket industry, it hasn’t hindered At that stage, there were already
station Tiangong. the company’s preparations for the upcoming launch private rocket developers in China,
While visually less spectacular later this year. who were working to raise funds
than the launch of Tianhe, the i- and make maiden launches.
Space test run was important for the New space players “There were two reasons why
company as it prepares for its next at- Aerospace had been a government-funded undertak- investors were hesitant to invest
tempt to send a rocket into orbit. This ing in China until 2014, when it gave the green light in this industry during its early
will be the company’s third such for private companies to participate in aerospace stages,” said Li Xin, a Beijing-
attempt since its establishment in development. In 2016, the National Development based investor. “One is that many
October 2016. Its first, in July 2019, and Reform Commission as well as the State investors were not familiar with
was successful; however, its second Administration of Science, Technology and Industry aerospace technology, and the other
in February this year, was not. for National Defense released more detailed plans for is that the industry had long been
These attempts have placed i- the opening of the industry to private companies. run by the state, so it was difficult
Space in the national spotlight. Prior These plans were a stimulus for rapid develop- to obtain sufficient data to estimate
to its successful launch in 2019, two ment of the industry, inspiring some aerospace market performance.”
other Chinese private rocket devel- experts to establish aerospace firms, with many Founded in October 2016,
opers had tried and failed, making choosing to start firms focusing on the development i-Space didn’t receive its first in-
i-Space the first Chinese private of satellites. Satellites need be sent into orbit by rock- vestment until August 2017. In
space firm to send a satellite into ets, yet currently, the cost of launching satellites is 2018, two rocket launch attempts
orbit, and marking a milestone for mostly higher than that of developing them, hinder- respectively by two other compa-
China’s commercial space industry. ing the development of the industry. nies, OneSpace and LandSpace,
20 BEIJING REVIEW MAY 13, 2021 http://www.bjreview.comboth failed, creating a gloomy at- intentions in launching its first rocket,” Liu said. “For ment of about $225 million, will
mosphere around the industry. But Galactic Energy, launching a rocket was just the be used for research, development
the successful launch by i-Space start of a long march. The goal of our private rocket and production of liquid propel-
in 2019 marked a turning point developers is to lower launching cost by developing lant rocket engines for Galactic
in public perception. The rocket, reusable carrier rockets.” Energy’s Pallas series of launch
Hyperbola-1, carried two satellites vehicles.
and three additional payloads into The layout Other public-private partnerships
orbit at an altitude of 300 kilome- In late 2018, LandSpace opened China’s first pri- include a major commercial aero-
ters, making i-Space the third in the vately owned carrier rocket factory in Huzhou, a city space base in Wuhan, capital city of
world to do so after SpaceX and in Zhejiang Province. With the factory, the largest of Hubei Province in central China, and
Blue Origin from the United States. its kind in Asia, LandSpace is about to mass produce a coastal facility for sea launches and
“When talking about rocket de- rockets. launch vehicle production in the east-
velopers, many would think of Elon LandSpace plans to launch its ZQ 2 rocket this ern province of Shandong.
Musk,” said i-Space Vice President year, and begin mass producing the rocket and its “Besides the United States and
Huo Jia. “Musk’s company SpaceX engines in the near future. According to Zhang Russia, China is the only country in
was founded in 2002 and achieved Changwu, founder of LandSpace, starting from 2022, the world that has an entire industri-
orbit in 2008. We cut that process the plant will be able to produce 15 ZQ 2 rockets and al chain of rocket manufacturing,”
to less than three years.” 200 engines per year. Huo said. “This is our advantage.”
Galactic Energy was established To fund the ZQ 2 program, LandSpace raised 1.2 In January, i-Space was report-
in 2018 and followed i-Space to be- billion yuan ($175 million) in its 2020 round of fi- edly planning to conduct an initial
come China’s second private space nancing, the largest ever fundraising event in China’s public offering in the science
firm to successfully achieve orbit private space industry. and technology-focused science
in November 2020. The company’s The development of the private rocket companies and technology innovation board
founder, Liu Baiqi, was previously has also received support from local governments in in Shanghai. If the listing goes
an associate professor at Beihang China. In September 2020, Galactic Energy signed an smoothly, it will become the first
University, formerly known as agreement with the government of Jianyang, a coun- commercial rocket firm listed on
Beijing University of Aeronautics ty-level city under the administration of Chengdu, the market in China.
and Astronautics. Sichuan Province, to construct a base there. It is estimated that at least 3,000
“Each company has different The base in Jianyang, with a planned total invest- Chinese commercial satellites are
waiting to be carried into orbit and
this number will increase in the
following years with the growing
demand for satellite service.
Wang Yanan, Chief Editor of
Aerospace Knowledge magazine,
suggested major private commercial
aerospace enterprises seek partici-
pation in more projects, such as the
construction of space stations, and
Moon and Mars exploration, for
more sustained development. “The
participation of China’s commercial
aerospace enterprises will help the
sector make advances in many as-
pects such as cost control, decision-
making efficiency and adapting to
new technological changes,” Wang
said. BR
XINHUA
Rocket models stand in the carrier rocket factory of LandSpace in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, Copyedited by G.P. Garth
on May 26, 2020 Comments to yuanyuan@bjreview.com
http://www.bjreview.com MAY 13, 2021 BEIJING REVIEW 21You can also read
