Pursuing a self-reliance development policy, China has contributed to the world development in space technology, application and science, said Luan at a press reception held by the State Council Information Office in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, where a grand international airshow started Monday.

The official, who is also vice-director of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, said that since the successful launch of its first satellite, the Dongfanghong-1, China has independently launched 47 man-made satellites of 16 varieties. Satellite series have gradually taken shape for communications, meteorological resources and scientific experimental satellites.

Statistics from the government show that China has successfully developed 12 types of launching vehicles of the Long March series, which have made 63 launches with a 90 percent success rate. From October 1996 to October 2000, the Long March launching vehicles made 21 successful consecutive launches.

Meanwhile, China launched its first unmanned experimental spaceship and regained it successfully, set up many remote sensing stations, and carried out weather forecasts and weather monitoring with the home-made weather satellite.

Since the establishment of China's aviation industry in the early 1950s, China's civil aircraft industry has made great achievements, recalled Luan.

More than 1,400 cargo aircraft, passenger aircraft and multi-purpose aircraft of 30 types in 8 series have been developed. China successfully built aircraft Y-5 in 1957, and Y-7 and Y-8 were developed in the 1960s.

Since the 1970s, China has developed different types of aircraft, such as Y-10, Y-11, Y-12, and N-5A. Among them, the Y-12 aircraft has received type certification from airworthiness authorities of UK and the US, and over 80 aircraft have been exported.

The official also said that the development of the aviation industry and space activities promoted the sustainable development of China's economy and society, as well as china's national strength and international status.

With the growth of the domestic and international market, China's aviation industry and space activities will make greater progress, he said.

(People's Daily 11/7/2000)