In the past, the U.S. government had tried to contain Chinese on the development of space programs for the concerns of national security. However, the Chinese are going their way, and have become the third nation, after the United States and Russia, to send astronauts into space.
Three years ago, China launched its first spacecraft, Shenzhou, sending one person into orbit. Last year, Shenzhou with two people was sent up to space for five days. The Chinese government announced that the third mission would involve more astronauts, and may also include the spacewalk project.
Last week, Mr. Michael D. Griffin, the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), arrived to China to discuss possible cooperation between two countries’ space programs. I believe that it is a part of efforts made by the White House to engage China to open a channel for further contacts.
By the way, Michael D. Griffin was invited to visit China by President Hu Jintao, and accepted by President Bush.
An interesting story, isn’t it?
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