China celebrates first spacewalk, cites space heroes
7/11/2008 16:46
China awarded people who made outstanding contributions to the Shenzhou
VII manned space flight during a meeting in Beijing this morning.
Chinese
President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other top leaders Jia Qinglin, Li
Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang and He Guoqiang were all in
attendance.
Vice-Premier Li Keqiang announced a decision, jointly made by the
Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and the
Central Military Commission, to award Zhai Zhigang the title of "Space Flight
Hero." Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng each received the title of "Heroic
Astronaut".
Chinese President Hu Jintao presented the three with medals and
certificates commemorating their outstanding performance during the
spacewalk.
China became the third country in the world to complete a
spacewalk on Sept. 25.
Hu said it was a small step from a Chinese astronaut,
but a big step for the nation's scientific and technological innovation.
He
said the successful spacewalk was an important milestone in the country's space
flight history and was one of the major achievements in building an innovative
nation.
Hu extended his greetings and congratulations to the three
astronauts, and all the people who had contributed to the country's space flight
cause.
He also thanked the Chinese people, including those in Hong Kong,
Macau and Taiwan as well as overseas Chinese and foreign friends, who supported
the country's space research and development.
China's manned space flight
program was launched 16 years ago. It developed from an un-piloted space flight
to missions with more than one astronaut, one of whom completed a
spacewalk.
Hu said this success showed the country had greatly increased its
economic, scientific and comprehensive power after 30 years of reform and
opening up.
He noted that the practice of launching manned space flight
proved scientific development is a necessity for achieving the goals set for the
country's development. It also showed the political advantage of a socialist
system which was able to produce great national cohesion.
Innovation is the
key to the nation's development, and patriotism is the inspiration for achieving
all the great causes, Hu added.
"We always have to take reform and innovation
as the greatest inspiration and continuously stimulate the creativity and
vitality of the whole society," Hu said. "We should regard improving the ability
of innovation as a strategic task and strengthen the national scientific and
technological capacity."
He added that the country should make it a basic
principle to cultivate a team of talented people with innovative ideas.
He
said that reform of scientific and technological systems should be deepened to
promote the construction of a national innovative system.
Chang Wanquan,
chief commander of the manned space project said the success of Shenzhou VII's
space flight showed the great strength of national cohesion and boosted the
confidence of people working for space missions to make new
achievements.
Chang said that more than 110 research institutes were involved
in the mission. More than 3,000 organizations nationwide were offering
coordination and help.
Zhai Zhigang, speaking on behalf of the Shenzhou VII
space flight team, said completing the mission successfully was his lifelong
dream and biggest honor.
He said he took a small step in space but a big step
for the Chinese nation.
Shang Zhi, general director of the mission's
spacecraft system, said Chinese scientists and researchers are ready to begin
the next phase of space missions, which focus on rendezvousing and docking
spacecraft in orbit. Zhi also wants to manufacture a space
laboratory.
Xinhua
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