IN FOCUS
By Dincy Adlakha

China’s Giant Leap in Space: A recap of major Chinese feats in space

The program debut
China’s space program was initiated during the Cold War years, sparked off by the fierce space race between the USSR and USA. When the then President declared China’s own space program with the aim to launch a satellite by 1959, it marked the beginning of a ‘Chinese Space Dream’ which was not overshadowed by the Soviet or American spatial programs. Hence, the Fifth Research Institute was set up in 1956 by the Ministry of National Defense. This was the first rocket missile development agency in China and paved space exploration technologies for the country. After multiple ups and downs, China saw its first official step into space in 1964 through a biological experiment by sending (and recovering safely) white mice into space. In 1970, China launched its first satellite to space, the Dong Fang Hong 1, being only the fifth country to do so. Over the years, China has launched its first unmanned spacecraft (1999), sent a taikonaut to space in its own rocket (2003, only the third country to do so), successfully completed its first lunar orbiter mission (2007), achieved the feat of ‘space walk’ in its third manned spacecraft (2008), fit its first Tiangong-1 or ‘Heavenly Palace’ in space to conduct docking and orbiting experiments (2011), and developed full range rockets from the Long March series.

The Xi Jinping Era
Although the Chinese space program was securing many firsts and was one of the top global contenders in space exploration earlier as well, the trajectory rose under the leadership of current President Xi Jinping. In December 2013, China landed an unmanned spacecraft on the moon in a soft landing. This was the first soft landing on the moon since 1976 and only the USA and USSR have previously accomplished this feat. In 2016, a second space lab was launched for experiments and a permanent manned space station was envisioned for 2022. In 2019, China’s Chang’e-4 lunar probe spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon. In 2020 alone, China launched two important unmanned probe missions. One for Mars and the other for the moon. The Chang’e-5 robotic mission to the moon returned extraterrestrial samples as lunar rock and soil for scientists to examine. In 2021, China launched the first part of its three-module space station Tianhe and also sent three taikonauts for a six-month stay in the spaceship.

The path ahead
After these major accomplishments, China looks to complete its space station and increase its permanent space presence through the module. Further, it is also aiming for novel experiments like that of Xuntian, a ‘heavenly cruiser’ telescope to examine dark matter, dark energy, and exoplanets.

The Chinese way of space exploration
China’s space program is highly dominated by two state-owned enterprises, China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation Limited (CASIC) and China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). These firms ensure secured state funding, personnel, technology, missiles and rockets, and all other resources required for space exploration. In new trends, many private commercial space firms, like LandSpace and MinoSpace, have also risen in China in the past decade which make the investment scenario quite colorful. China’s push for advanced, cheap and latest technologies is quite noticed. The above achievements are crucial for Chinese space exploration, and by extension, the Chinese space dream.

References:
Qian Zhou and Zoey Zhang, “Tapping into China’s Space Program,” China Briefing, 18 June 2021
Zhao Lei, “Nation’s space achievements out of this world,” China Daily, 28 December 2020
“Major milestones in Chinese space exploration,” Reuters, 17 June 2021

IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Avishka Ashok

INTERNAL
China announces development plan to bolster public health
On 28 December, during the 14th Five-Year Plan, China unveiled a development plan for the medical equipment sector to ramp up public health. The Chinese medical equipment sector has seen a robust growth of 840 billion yuan in the period of five years. “The country aims to accelerate the integration of information technology into the medical equipment industry by 2025, creating medical robots and digital health platforms, according to the plan. The plan, jointly released by 10 government departments, also details measures to develop medical equipment to support community-based elderly care, actively responding to the national strategy for population aging,” reported Xinhua. (“China releases development plan for medical equipment industry,” Xinhua Net, 28 December 2021)

Uyghur scholars object US law on forced labor in Xinjiang
On 28 December, People’s Daily Online reported on a symposium of scholars in Xinjiang where the attendees raised objections to the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act of the US. The scholars at the symposium observed that the law was based on lies and misinformation and attempted to undermine the efforts of the region to employ all ethnicities and ameliorate the standard of living of the people. A professor from Xinjiang University said: “Due to harsh natural conditions and a weak industrial foundation, there was a serious surplus of rural labor in southern Xinjiang in the past. Therefore, rural residents in southern Xinjiang, who had difficulties hunting for jobs, had long been trapped in poverty." (“U.S. Xinjiang-related act based on lies, misinformation: Uygur scholars,” People’s Daily Online, 28 December 2021)

President Xi stresses on the importance of Party history at the political bureau meeting
On 29 December, China Daily reported on the two-day long meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee which began on 27 December and concluded on 28 December. President Xi Jinping attended the meeting and stressed the party's history to be the most realistic and convincing book. He emphasized the need to focus on the party’s valuable history and work towards a unified China to fight the numerous challenges facing the country in the present times. President Xi also revealed that the party will actively work towards building a comprehensive and deeper understanding of the party history. (“Xi underlines heightened Party unity,” China Daily, 29 December 2021)

Hong Kong Police arrests six individuals from The Stand News media outlet
On 29 December, the Hong Kong national security police arrested six staff members of The Stand News, an anti-governmental media outlet. The individuals were charged with sedition. Three women and three men included the current director, the chief editors and the former directors. The police explained that they were arrested for publishing seditious content on the online portals and issued a statement on the arrest.The statement said: “Over 200 uniformed and plainclothes police officers have been deployed during the operation. The search operation is underway.” (“Hong Kong police arrest six from online media outlet,” The Strait Times, 29 December 2021)

ECONOMY
China releases its first white paper on export controls
On 29 December, China issued its first-ever white paper focusing on export control measures. According to Global Times, “The document, wrapping up a flurry of white papers having been issued this year on important topics such as human rights and democracy, articulates the country's anti-bullying stance and the fulfillment of its obligations as a major power that takes the lead in championing peaceful development.” China’s State Council Information office advocated the white paper giving a systematic account of export controls, legal and regulatory system and modernization of export control and the push for international exchanges and partnerships. The white paper says, “To build a more open economy and a more peaceful China, China strives to achieve sound interaction between high-quality development and guaranteed security, modernize its export control regime, and make new progress in export control governance.” The document also discusses US trying to decouple the economy with a discriminatory mentality and US imposed sanctions on the Chinese firms. (“China issues 1st white paper on export controls, lambasts US abuses,” Global Times, 29 December 2021)

REGIONAL
Tokyo plans to establish operating defense hotline with Beijing
On 28 December, Japan Today reported on the operating defense hotline between China and Japan. Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said: “We confirmed that the early establishment of a hotline between Japanese and Chinese defense authorities is important.” Kishi expresses “extreme grave concern” over the Chinese activities in East China Sea. He further announced, “Since there are (unresolved) issues with China, we need to try and keep having candid communication so we can promote exchanges and foster mutual understanding and confidence.” (“Japan, China to begin operating defense hotline next year,” Japan Today, 28 December 2021)

INTERNATIONAL
Chinese Foreign Ministry makes remarks on Lithuanian diplomats
On 28 December, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made remarks on Lithuanian diplomats being “chased” by China. Zhao said: “Lithuania that has acted in bad faith and openly created the false impression of "one China, one Taiwan" in the world, which gravely undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and damages the political foundation for an ambassadorial-level diplomatic relationship,” reported Xinhua. He voiced out China’s opposition to Lithuania abruptly pulling out diplomats from China without prior notice. "We believe the international community will adopt an objective and just position and refuse to buy Lithuania's one-sided story," said Zhao. ("Chasing Lithuanian diplomats from Beijing" pure defamation: FM spokesperson,” Xinhua Net, 28 December 2021)

Chinese analysts raise concern over US military spending and activities in the South China Sea
On 28 December, Chinese military experts announced that the US had conducted highly intensive operations in close proximity to Chinese territory in the South China Sea. The activities were spread across the year and included aerial close-in reconnaissance, aircraft carrier drills and submarine activities. On 27 December, the US also signed a bill that aims to further expand its military spending in the coming year. Chinese analysts believe that the developments in the US have potential to pose security risks and threaten the Chinese territorial integrity. (“US exhausts cards against China despite rising military activities near Taiwan, S.China Sea,” Global Times, 28 December 2021)