JIUQUAN, Oct. 11 (Xinhuanet) -- China has become a major player in aerospace technology, but still lags far behind the United States and Russia, chief designer of China's manned space flight program said here Tuesday.

　　"Manned space flight is one of the most sophisticated and difficult aerospace projects in the world. It's the embodiment of comprehensive strength of a country," said Wang Yongzhi.

　　He said China's basic industry, especially the sectors related to raw materials, components and techniques, remain behind developed countries. As a result, the overall level of China's aerospace science and technology lags far behind the United Statesand Russia.

　　But he said China is quickly catching up as it embraces a leap-frog development mode.

　　"Although more than 40 years late, our spacecraft is of the same technological level as their near-earth orbit spacecraft at present," said Wang.

　　"In addition, our spacecraft has its own good features. For instance, our orbital module can remain in orbit as a scientific application satellite after the spacecraft completes its orbital flight, instead of being jettisoned," he said.

　　He said China's manned space flight program has another feature,namely the emphasis on application.

　　"For every flight, we have carried out new scientific and technological experiments," he said.