New chapter in China's aerospace cause

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao asserted in a passionate and inspiring speech on Monday that China has jointed the world's select few powers that have the capabilities to engage in deep-space exploration.

After unveiling the first picture of the moon surface taken by Chang'e I, China's first lunar probe, Wen said that the dream of the Chinese people of flying onto the Moon for more than 1,000 years had started to materialize.

Wen said that lunar probe was the third milestones in China's space exploration following the successes of man-made satellites and manned space flights.

The success, he said not only manifested China's rising national strength and technical innovation capability but also elevated the country's international status and cemented national cohesion.

"It showcases eloquently that the Chinese people have the will, the ambition and the capability to compose more gorgeous new chapters while ascending the science and technology summit," he said.

Citing a letter of an overseas Chinese, Wen said that the farther the China-made satellite fly, the higher would the overseas Chinese hold their heads.