IN FOCUS
By Harini Madhusudan

​​China’s White Paper on Space: Three major takeaways with the goals for the next five years

According to the White Paper, China hopes to do the following in the next five years:  integrate space science, technology and applications; pursuing a new development philosophy; build a new development model; and meeting the requirements for high-quality development. 

On 28 January 2022, China’s State Council Information Office released its fifth five-year space exploration plan. Titled “China’s Space Program: a 2021 Perspective,”  the document outlines China’s priorities and the plans for outer space exploration and spaceflight. 

During 2016-20, China has made noteworthy achievements; this includes reaching the far side of the moon, collecting moon samples, successful Mars mission, beginning the assembly of the space station, completion of the Beidou navigation satellite and the CHEOS earth observation systems. Besides there has been a consistent technological and industrial growth. 

Between 2016 and 2021, China launched 207 successful missions. Of this, 186 were Long Mach launches among 400+ attempts. 

According to the White Paper, China hopes to do the following in the next five years:  integrate space science, technology and applications; pursuing a new development philosophy; build a new development model; and meeting the requirements for high-quality development. 

The White Paper is divided into six sections that look at the various focus areas. This begins with the need to establish a strong space presence and ends with a strong emphasis on international cooperation and introduces the principles and measures of their space exploration strategy. 

The following are the three takeaways from the white paper.
1. Manned spaceflight, expansion of technological capacities, and strengthening space environment governance are among the report’s key areas of focus:
The paper has listed space transport system, manned spaceflight, improving space infrastructure, expansion in the space launch sites, innovations and experiments with new technologies, deep space exploration, telemetry, tracking, and command, and space environment governance, as a priority for China. For example, the country has placed a special emphasis on improving its space debris monitoring systems, strengthening space traffic management, and introducing a space-ground space Climate monitoring system. It also shows a keen interest to explore the polar regions of the moon and aims at a manned landing on the moon. China is known to be studying plans for building its near-earth object defense system. The paper also indicates an interest in sample collection and its research. 

The paper refers to the development and engagement of new technologies and systems like the smart self-management of spacecraft, in-orbit tests of new space materials, mission extension vehicles, in-orbit servicing, and innovative space propulsion. The country is also revealed to be working on navigation-communication integration, low-orbit augmentation, and new technologies for the next-gen Beidou system. 

2. China’s call for an international space cooperation
Through the paper, China attempts to call on all countries to cooperate and carry out in-depth exchanges on the basis of their principles of mutual benefit, equality, peaceful utilization, and inclusive development. China offers strong cooperation with its international lunar research station project and seeks help with astronaut selection and training and joint flights. The paper indicates that the Chinese attempts to participate/spearhead the formulation of international rules would continue, with an aim to work together with countries for the long-term sustainability of the activities in Outer Space. 

3. Emphasis on commercial space applications
Unlike the previous four versions, this paper gives a greater emphasis to the commercial space applications and activities. In 2014, China made policy changes to allow the increased participation of the commercial space actors in their Outer Space Industry. One of the core visions of China’s Space Strategy have been the expansion of the Space application industry. A competitive private-commercial ecosystem would be the driving force of this applications industry. From commercializing communications and broadcasting services, to offering products and services like data processing, high-accuracy maps using the remote-sensing data, and application software while also utilizing the opportunities from the expanding digital industry in China, are included in the plans for the next five years. The commercial industry in China would play an important role in the Chinese Space vision. 

However, a major part of the paper only focuses on the civilian and technological parts and misses on the role of diplomatic and military sectors. Projects and initiatives outside the purview of the CNSA and CASC, get a minimal mention. China is also known to be working on its “satellite internet” mega constellation project but it finds no mention on the paper. Hence, the Chinese steady presence in Outer Space would continue in the next five years. 

References:
“China’s Space Program: a 2021 Perspective,” China National Space Administration, 28 January 2022
“China releases white paper on space program,” Xinhua Net, 28 January 2022
Andrew Jones, “China presents space plans and priorities in new white paper,” SpaceNews, 28 January 2022

IN BRIEF
By Dincy Adlakha and Keerthana Nambiar

INTERNAL
Olympics opening ceremony faces loss due to Omicron
On 1 February, The Straits Times published a report that the Olympics opening ceremony which was to boost China’s tourism and consumer activity will not see the same excitement due to Omicron variant of COVID-19. Chinese authorities have imposed a ban on public spectators in the stadium and tighter restrictions have been placed to check the spread of Omicron. Additionally, a halt on the industrial production to gain clear skies during the opening ceremony is also affecting the revenue outcomes. To curb Omicron and pollution, China has placed cluster identification techniques and is ready to sacrifice part of the success of the opening ceremony. (“Omicron dashes China's hopes of Winter Olympics boosting economy,” The Straits Times, 1 February 2022)

Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines prove effective against Delta variant
On 1 February, The Straits Times published that Chinese developed Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines are effective against the Delta variant as found in a study conducted by Chinese universities. The study found that the vaccines are 52 percent effective against Delta variant of COVID-19 and 60 percent effective for symptomatic cases. The data for this study was collected between May and June 2021 from the Guangdong province as it suffered a Delta variant outbreak. The study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine also found that the vaccines are 78 percent effective for pneumonia and 100 percent for severe or critical cases of COVID-19. (“China's most used Covid-19 shots effective against Delta variant: Study,” The Straits Times, 1 February 2022)

Foreign trade in Tibet sees an expansion of 88.3 per cent
On 1 February, Xinhua reported on the data provided from the local customs on China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. The data shows that in 2021, the foreign trade of Tibet increased by 88.3 per cent year on year. The head of customs said: “In 2021, Tibet exported specialty agricultural and animal husbandry products worth over 30 million yuan, including matsutake and black tea,” reported Xinhua. The largest regional trading partner is Nepal expanding to 69.4 per cent year on year to 1.8 billion yuan. (“China's Tibet sees foreign trade up 88.3 pct in 2021,” Xinhua Net, 1 February 2022)

Global Times exclusive interview with Mongolian envoy to China
On 31 January, Global Times published an exclusive interview with Mongolian Ambassador to China Tuvshin Badral on the upcoming Beijing winter Olympics and how it affects the China-Mongolia bilateral ties. Badral confirmed his participation at the Games and stated that the Games symbolizes “unity and friendship among mankind.” He said that Mongolia is looking forward to the Games and hopes for a “favorable” for the athletes. Badral further added that Mongolia and China have ‘broad potentials’ in the winter sports field and will mutually develop their skills by joint trainings. (“Mongolia, China share broad potential to develop cooperation, conduct joint training in winter sports: Mongolian envoy to China” Global Times, 31 January 2022)

TECHNOLOGY
Beijing sees a steady expansion of software sector in 2021
On 1 February, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released data on China’s ‘sustained sound growth momentum’ in 2021. According to the data, more than 40,000 companies in software and IT sector saw a revenue of more than five million yuan. the IT sector showed a rapid expansion of rising 20 per cent year on year to more than six trillion yuan. The data showed that in 2021, Beijing’s software exports were up to USD 52.1 billion up 8.8 per cent year on year. (“China's software sector revenue, profit grow in 2021,” Xinhua Net, 1 February 2021) 

REGIONAL
Japanese Diet passes motion on human rights in China
On 1 February, South China Morning Post reported that the Japanese parliament Diet has passed a resolution on human rights in China. This lower chamber of the Diet adopted this motion and expressed concern over the human rights of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and the residents of Tibet and Hong Kong. The motion calls for concrete steps by Japan to relieve the “serious human rights situation” in China. The move was finalised just a few days before the Beijing WInter Olympics. The resolution promotes Japan to work closely with the international community to address the issue. (“Japan parliament passes resolution on human rights in China days before Beijing Winter Olympics,” South China Morning Post, 1 February 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
FBI Chief finds China more threatening than ever
On 1 February, the FBI Director Christopher Wray situated in Washington said that the Chinese government has never been this “brazen” and threatening. He said in his speech at the Reagan Presidential Library that the western governments need to be wary of the global image of China, further augmented by Winter Olympics. Accepting that majority of the intelligence agencies and resources are invested on China, Director Wray said: “there’s just no country that presents a broader threat to our ideas, innovation, and economic security than China.” He defined the threat from China in terms of pushed back firms and illegal technologies. (“FBI chief: Threat from China ‘more brazen’ than ever before,” The Asahi Shimbun, 1 February 2022)

China’s UN ambassador votes against UN Security Council open meeting on Ukraine
On 31 January, China’s UN ambassador called for “quiet diplomacy instead of megaphone diplomacy,” noted Xinhua. In the procedural vote for a Security Council open meeting on Ukraine, China and Russia voted against the meeting. The ambassador said: “China once again calls on all parties concerned to remain calm, not to do anything to aggravate tensions or hype up the crisis.” He stated that China’s position on Ukraine is to resolve the issue and to return to implementing the new Minsk Agreement. “All parties should completely abandon the Cold War mentality” for security of Europe along with addressing Russia’s “legitimate security concerns” he added. (“Chinese envoy calls for quiet diplomacy on Ukraine,” Xinhua Net, 1 February 2022)