China says it is committed to peaceful use of space

BEIJING (AFP) Oct 16, 2003
China said Thursday it was committed to the peaceful use of outer space, just hours after becoming the third country in the world to master manned space flight with the landing of its Shenzhou V craft.

"China is willing to closely cooperate with the United Nations and other countries on the peaceful use of outer space," foreign ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue told a regular briefing.

"China supports the purpose and principles of the United Nations Charter, which is not only in the interest of the Chinese people but the whole world," she said.

The Shenzhou V craft made a safe landing in China's Inner Mongolia region early Thursday after completing 14 orbits around the Earth, making China the third nation to send a person into space after the United States and Russia.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Thursday Japan hoped China's success in completing its first manned space mission would not lead to its military expansion.

SPACE.WIRE