What China has planned for 2004, following its first successful manned space mission, is placing 10 satellites in orbit and stepping up efforts to build larger and more reliable vehicles and facilities.

In 2003, apart from the manned spacecraft, it launched six satellites.

If the tasks are duly completed, 2004 will mark a milestone in the Chinese aerospace industry's adaptation to the demand from a rapidly growing economy.

Having the national aerospace authorities clarify their goals so early in the year is a welcome departure from past procedures, and underlines that 2004 also signals increasing openness in the operation of the industry.

The new satellites will be performing many civilian functions, and all will help build a space-based system of public infrastructure to cover China's vast land mass and provide services in communications, meteorology, navigation, and scientific research.

The economy's continuing expansion and upgrading will require China to place many more facilities in space in the future.

While never shy about its need for adequate technologies for defence, as it rightfully deserves, China's 2004 workload allows little room to doubt the civilian nature and peacefulness of its overall space programme.

The emphasis on practicality and commercial value is also quite a sensible thing to do for a developing nation and the newest member of the global space club.

Over the years, step by step, the People's Republic has been pursuing a space programme on a relatively slim budget. Chinese space engineers have developed high skills in providing the guarantee of safety. The pursuit of safety, quality, and effectiveness has been their tradition, and Chinese citizens deservedly take much pride in those aims.

However, to be effective and useful, the ultimate challenge the Chinese space industry must face is competition ?whether for delivering goods (such as satellites) or services (such as satellite launches) ?with enough expertise to earn international commercial contracts.

Now that its economic reform is changing all State-owned industries into competitive ones, China can expect, with reasonable confidence, to have a profitable space industry.

 (China Daily )