On Oct. 4, with Russia and the United States apparently unable to do more than talk about flights to the moon, China, strictly on schedule, launched a Long March 3A rocket carrying the satellite Chang-e 1 on a mission to map the moon's surface.

The spacecraft, with an estimated lifespan of one year, is expected to enter lunar orbit on Nov. 5.

When the United States announced the resumption of its lunar program and the start of an unprecedented Mars program, China kept modestly silent. It was not until early March that Beijing revealed its space plans. Along with plans for another manned space flight, they outlined provisions for launching a moon program.

China gave more specific shape to its ambitions last September. From 2012, a Chinese lunar rover will start functioning on the moon. The next steps will be to bring samples of lunar soil back to Earth, mount a manned expedition and eventually establish a base -- following the same pattern as other countries. Only without much fuss, and as a matter of routine.

That Beijing will fulfill its plans is beyond doubt.

China became only the third country to make independent manned space flights in October 2003 and October 2005. Over the past five years it has successfully launched 24 Changzheng rockets and developed and put into orbit 22 satellites of various types. Once consisting of four series, the family of the Chinese spacecraft has now grown to six.

At present, China has recoverable remote sensing and communications satellites, DFH-4 -- DongFangHong -- "The East is Red" -- direct television satellites, a new series of FY -- FengYun - "Wind Cloud" -- weather satellites, research and experimental satellites, and navigational aids. A new series of marine monitoring satellites is under development, and work is being stepped up to build a fleet of smaller satellites.

Today China makes active use of its own space-based navigational system consisting of four Beidou -- Compass -- satellites in a stationary 21,600-mile orbit. Beijing has already announced plans to set up its own global satellite navigation system.

Thus, with remarkably little fanfare, China has traveled a truly cosmic path in just the past five years.

While successfully pursuing its own program for the exploration of deep space, China also coordinates steps with Russia.

Late in June the joint task group on moon and deep space exploration, part of the Russian-Chinese subcommission on space cooperation, met for the third time at the Russian Space Agency, Roskosmos. Yury Nosenko, deputy head of Roskosmos, represented Russia. Luo Ge, leader of the Chinese part of the joint task group and deputy head of the China National Space Administration -- CNSA -- represented China.

According to Roskosmos, the meeting discussed using the existing system of radio telescopes to create a Russian-Chinese system of radio interferometers. Also on the agenda was the joint exploration of the moon.

The official statement said: "Ways to further coordinate these projects were mapped out."

Furthermore, according to Roskosmos, a contract was signed to implement an agreement between Roskosmos and the CNSA to cooperate on the joint study of Phobos and Mars.

As regards Russia's moon program, a manned mission is likely to take place after 2025 and a permanent station set up in 2028-2032. A Mars expedition will be launched after 2035.

The actual schedule for this is more difficult to establish, especially considering that nothing specific has been done to date regarding the moon. Luna Globe, part of the 2006-2015 federal space program and the only comprehensive subprogram, was only approved with much difficulty and does not provide for the start of work until 2009.

What is more, nothing has been done in the past two years towards developing a space vehicle for deep space exploration. Meanwhile, International Space Station crews are marking time and "feeling good" returning from orbit aboard legendary Soyuz craft, which are now carrying their third generation of astronauts.

Today both China and Japan are audaciously reaching for the moon. On Sept. 14 Japan successfully put its lunar probe, Selene, into a near-Earth orbit. After making two revolutions around the Earth, the craft has assumed a departure trajectory towards the noon and should soon enter its polar orbit. Two small auxiliary satellites were also launched towards the moon alongside Selene.

It is quite probable that to their principled dispute over who invented karate the two countries will soon add one on being the first to return to the moon. Between them, at least, they have already secured the first two places.

(Andrei Kislyakov is a political commentator for RIA Novosti. This article is reprinted by permission of RIA Novosti. The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.)

-- (United Press International's "Outside View" commentaries are written by outside contributors who specialize in a variety of important issues. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of United Press International. In the interests of creating an open forum, original submissions are invited.)

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