China National Space Day: For the History, Spirit, and Enthusiasm for Exploration, Says President Xi

China’s first National Space Day was celebrated on Sunday, with President Xi Jinping instructing scientists and engineers to “seize the strategic opportunity and keep innovating to make a greater contribution to the country’s overall growth and the welfare of mankind.” He continued: “In establishing Space Day, we are commemorating history, passing on the spirit, and galvanizing popular enthusiasm for science, exploration of the unknown, and innovation, particularly among young people.”

More than 1,000 scientists, soldiers, and students participated in events at the Jiuquan launch center, where 60 years ago on this date, China launched its first satellite. CCTV is airing feature stories on aspects of the space programs contributions to science and technology, and reviewing China’s broad-ranging plans for manned, lunar, and Mars exploration.

An English-language translation of yesterday’s press conference with China National Space Administration Director Xu Dazhe has been made available by the State Council Information Office. A few notable points:

Discussing international cooperation, Xu reported that China “proactively promotes the construction of the ‘Belt and Road’ Space Information Corridor, and the construction of a remote satellite constellation together with the BRICS countries.” He also mentioned that 30 nations had sent congratulations to China on its first National Space Day. “We hope that the establishment of the national day will become an important carrier for developing astronautics, a key platform for space education, scientific exploration and innovation, and a window for the rest of the world to better understand China’s space industry,” Xu said.

He was asked by China Space News about a concern of China’s founding space scientist, Qian Xuesen, (who was sent back to China in 1955 under the McCarthyite accusation of being a spy, and went on to establish China’s rocket and missile program) about the need to “nurture outstanding talent.” Xu responded that China has an “untapped potential,” of young people. He said that Qian, who died in 2009 at the age of 97, “gave us encouragement. He believed that the young generation is working harder and doing better than his generation.” But, “we must allow people to try new things and make mistakes,” Xu added.

The only hostile question at Xu’s press conference was, predictably, from Reuters, whose reporter asked about the supposed lack of “transparency” in the Chinese space program, which “might contain military implications.”

Xu responded simply that “space resources can serve national security and the economy, and, therefore, we integrate military and civil development into our strategy. We use space resources for preserving world peace and safeguarding China’s national defense; this is an understandable pursuit.” Pointing out that, “on this subject, China is more and more open,” he specified, “I hope our friends in the United States will notice this, so that we may cooperate with our American colleagues in developing astronautic technologies.”