The scope of mankind's activities has experienced expansion from land to
ocean, from ocean to atmosphere, and from atmosphere to outer space. Space
technology, which emerged in the 1950s, opened up a new era of man's exploration
of outer space.
Having developed rapidly for about half a century, mankind's space
activities have scored remarkable achievements, greatly promoted the development
of social productivity and progress, and produced profound and far-reaching
effects. Space technology has turned out to be one field of high technology that
exerts the most profound influence on modern society. The continuous development
and application of space technology has become an important endeavor in the
modernization drive of countries all over the world.
The Chinese nation created a glorious civilization in the early stage of
mankind's history. The gunpowder "rocket" invented by ancient Chinese was the
embryo of modern space rockets. After the People's Republic of China was founded
in 1949, China carried out space activities on its own, and succeeded in
developing and launching its first man-made satellite in 1970. China has made
eye-catching achievements, and now ranks among the world's most advanced
countries in some important fields of space technology. In the 21st century,
China will continue to promote the development of its space industry in the
light of its national situation, and make due contributions to the peaceful use
of outer space, and to the civilization and progress of mankind.
At the turn of the century, it is of significance to give a brief
introduction to the aims and principles, present situation, future development
and international cooperation concerning China's space activities.