The United Nations designated the week between October 4 and 10 as the World Space Week. The annual celebration is held for the first time this year. China joins more than 20 countries, such as U.S., Russia, Austria, U.K., Canada, Brazil, The Netherlands, Mexico and Japan, to hold celebration activities.

Dignitaries who spoke at the opening ceremony at the Peking University included Director of CNSA Luan Enjie, President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) Song Jian, Commissioner of Science and Technology and Industry for National Defense (COSTIND) Liu Jibin, Vice-Chairman of the China Association of Sciences Zhuang Fenggan, and a representative from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in China.

More than 2000 invited guests attended the ceremony, including Minister of Science and Technology Zhu Lilan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Guangya, Deputy Minister of Information Liu Peng, representatives from the Ministries of Finance, National Land Resources, Education; Commission of National Planning; Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), China Aerospace Machinery and Electronics Corporation (CAMEC), United Nations agencies in China, and diplomats from several embassies.

Also attending the ceremony were faculties and students from various universities in the Beijing area, such as the Peking University, the Tsinghua University, the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA), and the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT).

In his speech titled "China Aerospace Facing 21st Century", Luan Enjie reiterated China's main goal of orbiting its yuhangyuan ("astronauts") in the human spaceflight project, codenamed Project 921. In the space exploration program, China would aim at landing on the Moon and participating in international activities on Mars exploration. Luan, however, did not disclose any timeline.

According to Luan, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of COSTIND, "... [Building] on the foundation of the successful flight of the unmanned experimental spacecraft [Shenzhou-1], [China will] realize manned space missions. In space exploration, [China will] realize exploration of the Moon and actively participate in international Mars exploration activities, which will raise China's space exploration technologies to a higher level."

Before outlining his vision of the Chinese space program in the new century, Luan explained the philosophy behind the program: "Presently the development of space technologies and the level of their applications becomes an indicator of a nation's united power and development of its civilization. ... The Chinese aerospace program has actively contributed to the global space development and is an integral part of the world space [community]."

He continued, "Under the future integrated national planning and unified leadership, and following the strategic guidance of 'strengthening the nation through science and education' and 'sustainable development', and through domestic research and development and international cooperation, ... the Chinese space program will select limited goals to achieve breakthroughs, sustain development, and promote technological innovation.

"This will enhance research and setting up the infrastructure, achieve breakthroughs in key space technologies, advance technical levels and basic capabilities, and maintain China's position as a space leader internationally."

Luan pointed out that the space effort would push development in science and technology, and fulfill the needs of national economy and defense establishment.

In addition to the manned spaceflight and planetary exploration programs, Luan discussed the future of the China space program in four areas:

• Remote sensing -- gradually set up a stable operational combined satellite applications system.

• Satellite navigation -- form an initial satellite navigation application industry.

• Communications -- domestically-built satellites will meet basic national demands and attempt to enter the international comsat market.

• Launch vehicles -- complete research and development of a new generation of launchers.

"The outline of the 211 Plan is that in the early 21st century, China will have a common satellite platform and a new generation of launcher series, establish a combined satellite applications system, and realize the space research and exploration project."

Luan emphasized that under the principle of "peaceful utilization, equal and mutual benefit, and common development", China would strengthen exchange and cooperation with other nations. He hoped that China would make greater contribution to human exploration and peaceful use of outer space.

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