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Here are the balanced comments from BBC. It is very interesting to know how others comment on first China Taikonaut.
================================================================
The comments published reflect the balance of views received:
SUGGEST A DEBATE
This topic was suggested by Donald, UK
Will China surpass America as not only the space frontier leader but as an economic power house?
Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates
Great accomplishment for China. Congratulations to the Chinese for their hard working and for meeting the necessities of the time.
Mohammad Hanif, Pakistan
I've got mixed emotions about the space launch. While I'm thrilled that their programme has been successful, I do worry about the money that would be better spent on revitalising their country. Too many people are still in need. The same can be said of any other country that spends money on flights of fancy while ignoring social problems on earth. Space is not for us to colonize right now. We are better off using the zero gravity conditions for scientific research that will benefit all people. So I hope that as the Chinese space programme continues, they will take advantage of the real scientific opportunity.
Kate, United States
I watched the news on the early hours of 15th October and I was leaping with joy at the launch of China's first manned space flight, I had been following the event of China's space program for the last 10 years and dreamed of seeing this day. While I was travelling to work I recalled how gallant and proud the Taikonaut, Lt Col. Yang Liwei, in his space suite as he wore the heart and courage of his nation, I immediately broke down in tears. The Chinese people had first dreamt of space travel centuries before any civilisation and to finally be able to send one of its own was a very moving moments.
W Chan, UK
Well done! Yes, it is a lot of money (but compare it with other "non essential" industries such as entertainment, cosmetics etc.), but one could argue forever on how you assess the value of any action - if this increases national prestige, and pushes kids into science and technology, so much the better! Yes, there's a political agenda, but where isn't there?
Mark Bentley, UK
Again China made the history! I am proud of my motherland!
Tong Shanbao, China
China is a sleeping giant - I strongly believe this is just the first of many great leaps we'll be seeing from them in the decades to come.
Jason Miles, Reading, UK
This is a truly success story even if has not been finished yet
Milos Milisavljevic, Canada
This is a truly success story even if has not been finished yet. China demonstrates one thing that many other countries do not: a constant economic, political and technological progress during the past 30 years. It is very important that China keeps political balance in the world, as USA mongers tend flood the whole world with kitsch and phoney values. Chinese culture is rich with original stuff. The world needs to focus to other values and cultures.
Milos Milisavljevic, Canada
I am very happy for my nation. And I would like to mention to those people who say that China should work together with Russia and USA on this space program. In theory, there is possibility. In practice, it is a very naive idea. I don't believe US would transfer such kind of technology to a communist country. There is no free lunch in this world.
Zhang, China
I suspect we are going to see a breath-taking leap by the Chinese.... either a manned Moon landing, or perhaps even a (one-way) manned expedition to Mars.
Gershom Gale, Israel
The Shenzhou V mission is an extraordinarily important first step for an awakening giant of a nation. If manned space exploration were strictly a product of economics and science, Europe would have been there long ago. What China has joined the US and Russia in demonstrating is the will to step boldly into mankind's unknowable future, and I for one welcome their company.
Brian Berg, USA
I'm really proud of being Chinese. Let those who are jealous and scared of any achievement China made groan. Look at human history, China has always been the superpower, and now, with a big step forward, we can hear the sound: WE ARE BACK!
Jiamingpai, China
I think this experiment from China is pretty stupid. Why can't they work together with Russia and USA? These two countries have been working together for several years, and they have build a space station together. Why couldn't China participate in this project instead of doing everything themselves? I think the space industry have to work together for the best of mankind and to share experiences from each other, when it comes to exploring space.
Ole Aksel Svendsgård, Norway
Congratulations! This is a great news! China has showed the world that there are other greater achievements to be made than just joining the arms race!
Ratna Sengupta, Indian in USA
My heartfelt congratulations go out to the Chinese people, especially the technicians and scientists who made this possible. It is my sincere hope that China's entry into manned spaceflight will revitalize the interest of all major nations to conquer the solar system and to get us off of this ancient rock.
Nils, Germany
I think it's great China are making progress like this
Yao, UK
I think it's great China are making progress like this. Being Chinese I have strong reservations about the government and its ambitions. Having said that, I do believe this to be a positive achievement. I think it's a shame that to see some negative comments from some over-nationalistic Chinese, as well as egotistical comments from a couple of Americans. This kind of backward thinking can get us nowhere.
Yao, UK
Why do people in the West look upon any development in the East as a threat. That won't disrupt our space programme, come what may!
Minhua, China
As a Chinese, I'm so proud of this. The launch of ShenZhou V, not matter whether it will be a success of failure, marks China's improvement in space technology. I'm also very pleased to have seen so many comments on my country's development here which are friendly and based on the truth without the so-called "ideological hostility" attached.
Z. Chen, P. R. China
As a Chinese I am proud of our nation's achievements and resolve. And I also see this as an effort to counter the attempt by the superpowers to dominate outer space.
Baizhu, China
As a Chinese, I am very proud of my country. The launch shows that our country has the power to compete in the military field of the world. But we are a peace-loving country. No matter how strong we are now and will be, we will always strive for world peace.
Bonnie, China
Thanks for all the congratulations. I sincerely hope it is possible for the superpowers to work cooperatively and productively together for humanity.
Yan, China
An expensive way to distract the people from the inadequacies of government. A step forward? For whom? The only advance I can see is that the guy in the cockpit is Chinese. With massive poverty, starvation and high infant mortality, coming 3rd in the space race 40 years late is the last thing China needs. Not a reason to celebrate.
Chris, Japan
Now we are closer to space, and closer to people all over the world. The success belongs to all humans.
Chooli, China
As a Chinese, I am really proud of what's been achieved. However, it's my hope that money can be spent wisely in something else such as helping to eliminate poverty in many remote regions in China
Shen Gao, China
Absolutely fantastic!
John, USA
Another country enters space... Absolutely fantastic! The more the merrier! Come on guys...stop the grumbling. You go China, you go Lt Yang Liwei.
John, USA
I think it's pathetic that they can only now do what the US and Russia did 40 years ago. What a joke.
Michael, Texas
I'm very excited that China has finally joined the space club. I hope my country will join Europe, Russia and America to explore the final frontier.
Wang Yin, Shanghai, China
It's an exciting moment! I'm proud of my motherland!
Zheng Haitao, China
I don't think the US is happy about this success.
Guus, USA
People in China are as proud as can be, one would seriously believe that the country is achieving something that has never been done before. I admit I love to point out that China is 40 years late and they are doing it in a Soviet capsule knock-off. But my heart does go out to the guy going up - I truly hope he gets the ride of his life!
Helen, Hong Kong
If successful, it proves they are a half century behind the US (and probably also a half century ahead of Europe).
Michael, USA
I hope that within the next few years they'll land on the moon
Marshall A. Woods, USA
Good for the Chinese! I hope that within the next few years they'll land on the moon, plant their flag there, and claim it for their own. We sorely need something to re-focus us on the importance of space, and it does seem that effective national space programmes require competition and a 'race', rather than cooperation. With any luck the Chinese will reignite that acquisitive, competitive attitude that the US and USSR took towards space in the 1960s.
Marshall A. Woods, USA
I would like to extend congratulations to China for sucessfully putting a man in space.
Cathleen Kipp, USA
China, just like the USSR and USA did, is pursuing a space programme for two reasons. The economic benefit of launching their own satellites (mainly military reconnaissance) and developing manoeuverable nuclear warheads to avoid interception. "Manned space exploration" is good PR. It sounds a lot better to the masses then "Strategic First Strike Programme".
Jared, USA
This heralds China's elevation to superpower status. It'll be interesting to see how the United States responds.
Peter Bolton, US
Delaying the TV broadcast only shows the communists are still scared of their people, scared of failing, scared of what will happen to them when their people have enough of being told what to do.
John, Australia
God Speed to Shenzhou V and Yang Liwei. China has re-arranged the world order today, one of the most important events in recent history.
Simon Proud, UK
Congratulations to China on a great accomplishment. For now our planet is fragmented, but I see the day when the space programme will be shared among Europe, Russia, China and perhaps even the Americans if they can climb down from their particularistic ideology. After all this is a small planet and it belongs to us all - six billion or so.
Thomas Benian, Canada
The success of China makes some envious, whatever may be the case, they have a competitor in their business. So stop critisizing and try to beat it. More nations are ready to follow China.
Zulfi, India
It is a waste of money! We should have a multinational space agency where the money can be pooled together and cost each nation less to put there people and equipment into space.
Chuck, USA
A successful manned space programme by China will not only be good in and of itself, but it might force a serious rethinking of space policy by the United States. It might also motivate other nations to focus more attention on manned spaceflight. For more than thirty years, no country has sent anyone outside of low Earth orbit. The obvious goal is staring us in the face - Mars!
Jeffrey, Austin, TX USA
Putting a man on the moon! I ask you! Did they ask American permission? They risk invasion for having weapons of mass destruction, after Iran, Syria, North Korea....etc It could even provoke another war of words. Whilst it is another milestone in space exploration it makes me slightly queasy that China is now another superpower.
Tony, Welling Kent
The symbol is clear: China, and the Chinese form of Communism is just as important in the future of humanity as democracy. Let us hope that the world is united rather than divided by this fact.
Steve, Maidstone in Kent, UK
I'm really glad the Chinese are going into space; it's a nice reminder to Europe of just how ineffective we are, despite our lofty opinion of ourselves. And anything that annoys America can't be bad...
Chris, UK
China will be the dominant force in the world in coming future
Gil Bolton, UK
I remember the words that China is a sleeping giant, and it is. China will be the dominant force in the world in coming future. Industrialists are flocking there because of the cheap and plentiful supply of labour. China will carry on with their space program, even if this fails, which I don't believe it will.
Gil Bolton, UK
I hope the Chinese launch succeeds. If they do then I hope the three big space nations, US, Russia and China can all work together to help mankind achieve great things!
Richard, UK
It could be very important, over the last 30 years since man first set foot on the moon our capacity for space travel has actually diminished to the point where we have no current vehicle capable of the journey. Mankind has an innate instinct to explore and expand our horizons, there is a whole solar system out there to explore!
Peter D, UK
It's astonishingly symbolic of their view of themselves, and of their growing ambitions.
Steve, UK
If China is to become a major player then it is absolutely essential that they develop a sound space program. I completely agree with Richard and Patrick V. Staton that if the big four worked together it would probably benefit everyone, but I don't think the Americans would allow it because it would threaten their interests. If only the US and the Soviet Union worked together during the Cold War instead of building up an arsenal of nuclear weapons, by now we could have had a base on the moon or even a man on Mars!!
Charles S, UK
We're talking here about exploration and research that, for once, might actually serve the interests of humanity
Patrick V. Staton, Guildford, UK
USA, Europe, Russia and China could pool their finances and technological expertise to develop a global space program far greater than the sum of its individual components. We're talking here about exploration and research that, for once, might actually serve the interests of humanity and not be merely a public relations exercise to line the pockets and the prides of duplicitous governments.
Patrick V. Staton, Guildford, UK
Very important, This is just showing to the world the emergence of a new super power.
Ahmed, Canada
The Chinese leadership is obsessed with propaganda. The reality of China is a country where wealth aggregates towards a few highly polluted urban centres and hundreds of thousands of country people die of starvation each year there is a less than average harvest. China needs a man in space like it needs a collective hole in its collective head. Have the courage to manage, devolve political and economic power to regions. That is the only way China can earn international respect; not by stupid grandiose gestures.
Tom, UK
I guess we all know how important the China space mission is to China and to the world actually. It is not a mater of right or wrong to delay footage of the launch. It is just a decision made in their best interest.
Jane, Boston, US
I do support any country in its effort to conquer space. Hopefully they will come to the conclusion that working with the rest of the world instead of going it alone would be more effective.
Mike Daly, USA
It will be a tremendous boost to national confidence and self-esteem
Chris, US
The Chinese space mission is of the utmost importance to the Chinese, as it will be a tremendous boost to national confidence and self-esteem. One is tempted to say that the world doesn't need another space program, especially where the money could be better spent on Chinese education and infrastructure. However, NASA seems to have stagnated and more nations in the space business may foster the competitive spirit that will eventually drive mankind to mount bigger and more ambitious missions. Good luck to the Chinese and Godspeed.
Chris, US
I believe a country like China should have its sights on the stars, but I also believe the launch should be shown on live television to its citizens. A moment such as this, whether triumphant or tragic, should be shared be all of the people who stand behind its brave pioneers who are forging into the unknown.
Lance Rosol, USA
It's not important at all, billions of pounds are wasted every year on space travel, which could be used to build hospitals, schools etc etc etc, what will it prove, absolutely nothing, and what good will it do, about the same.
Lester Stenner, UK
Politically it lets them cross a barrier and join other the other world super-powers. Scientifically, not very important in terms of pioneering anything, but they could contribute alternative technologies and accelerate humanity's progress in space exploration.
Alex, Gibraltar
I think that the Chinese space conquest show how this country is being developed. Even if Communism is still leading the country, we are able to notice that China is becoming a powerful nation. China will be a great nation as Europeans are. The delay is due to the Communist secret which is still a value there. By this way, they don't want to break the moral of the population.
John, France
=====================================================================
================================================================
The comments published reflect the balance of views received:
SUGGEST A DEBATE
This topic was suggested by Donald, UK
Will China surpass America as not only the space frontier leader but as an economic power house?
Send us your suggestions for Have Your Say debates
Great accomplishment for China. Congratulations to the Chinese for their hard working and for meeting the necessities of the time.
Mohammad Hanif, Pakistan
I've got mixed emotions about the space launch. While I'm thrilled that their programme has been successful, I do worry about the money that would be better spent on revitalising their country. Too many people are still in need. The same can be said of any other country that spends money on flights of fancy while ignoring social problems on earth. Space is not for us to colonize right now. We are better off using the zero gravity conditions for scientific research that will benefit all people. So I hope that as the Chinese space programme continues, they will take advantage of the real scientific opportunity.
Kate, United States
I watched the news on the early hours of 15th October and I was leaping with joy at the launch of China's first manned space flight, I had been following the event of China's space program for the last 10 years and dreamed of seeing this day. While I was travelling to work I recalled how gallant and proud the Taikonaut, Lt Col. Yang Liwei, in his space suite as he wore the heart and courage of his nation, I immediately broke down in tears. The Chinese people had first dreamt of space travel centuries before any civilisation and to finally be able to send one of its own was a very moving moments.
W Chan, UK
Well done! Yes, it is a lot of money (but compare it with other "non essential" industries such as entertainment, cosmetics etc.), but one could argue forever on how you assess the value of any action - if this increases national prestige, and pushes kids into science and technology, so much the better! Yes, there's a political agenda, but where isn't there?
Mark Bentley, UK
Again China made the history! I am proud of my motherland!
Tong Shanbao, China
China is a sleeping giant - I strongly believe this is just the first of many great leaps we'll be seeing from them in the decades to come.
Jason Miles, Reading, UK
This is a truly success story even if has not been finished yet
Milos Milisavljevic, Canada
This is a truly success story even if has not been finished yet. China demonstrates one thing that many other countries do not: a constant economic, political and technological progress during the past 30 years. It is very important that China keeps political balance in the world, as USA mongers tend flood the whole world with kitsch and phoney values. Chinese culture is rich with original stuff. The world needs to focus to other values and cultures.
Milos Milisavljevic, Canada
I am very happy for my nation. And I would like to mention to those people who say that China should work together with Russia and USA on this space program. In theory, there is possibility. In practice, it is a very naive idea. I don't believe US would transfer such kind of technology to a communist country. There is no free lunch in this world.
Zhang, China
I suspect we are going to see a breath-taking leap by the Chinese.... either a manned Moon landing, or perhaps even a (one-way) manned expedition to Mars.
Gershom Gale, Israel
The Shenzhou V mission is an extraordinarily important first step for an awakening giant of a nation. If manned space exploration were strictly a product of economics and science, Europe would have been there long ago. What China has joined the US and Russia in demonstrating is the will to step boldly into mankind's unknowable future, and I for one welcome their company.
Brian Berg, USA
I'm really proud of being Chinese. Let those who are jealous and scared of any achievement China made groan. Look at human history, China has always been the superpower, and now, with a big step forward, we can hear the sound: WE ARE BACK!
Jiamingpai, China
I think this experiment from China is pretty stupid. Why can't they work together with Russia and USA? These two countries have been working together for several years, and they have build a space station together. Why couldn't China participate in this project instead of doing everything themselves? I think the space industry have to work together for the best of mankind and to share experiences from each other, when it comes to exploring space.
Ole Aksel Svendsgård, Norway
Congratulations! This is a great news! China has showed the world that there are other greater achievements to be made than just joining the arms race!
Ratna Sengupta, Indian in USA
My heartfelt congratulations go out to the Chinese people, especially the technicians and scientists who made this possible. It is my sincere hope that China's entry into manned spaceflight will revitalize the interest of all major nations to conquer the solar system and to get us off of this ancient rock.
Nils, Germany
I think it's great China are making progress like this
Yao, UK
I think it's great China are making progress like this. Being Chinese I have strong reservations about the government and its ambitions. Having said that, I do believe this to be a positive achievement. I think it's a shame that to see some negative comments from some over-nationalistic Chinese, as well as egotistical comments from a couple of Americans. This kind of backward thinking can get us nowhere.
Yao, UK
Why do people in the West look upon any development in the East as a threat. That won't disrupt our space programme, come what may!
Minhua, China
As a Chinese, I'm so proud of this. The launch of ShenZhou V, not matter whether it will be a success of failure, marks China's improvement in space technology. I'm also very pleased to have seen so many comments on my country's development here which are friendly and based on the truth without the so-called "ideological hostility" attached.
Z. Chen, P. R. China
As a Chinese I am proud of our nation's achievements and resolve. And I also see this as an effort to counter the attempt by the superpowers to dominate outer space.
Baizhu, China
As a Chinese, I am very proud of my country. The launch shows that our country has the power to compete in the military field of the world. But we are a peace-loving country. No matter how strong we are now and will be, we will always strive for world peace.
Bonnie, China
Thanks for all the congratulations. I sincerely hope it is possible for the superpowers to work cooperatively and productively together for humanity.
Yan, China
An expensive way to distract the people from the inadequacies of government. A step forward? For whom? The only advance I can see is that the guy in the cockpit is Chinese. With massive poverty, starvation and high infant mortality, coming 3rd in the space race 40 years late is the last thing China needs. Not a reason to celebrate.
Chris, Japan
Now we are closer to space, and closer to people all over the world. The success belongs to all humans.
Chooli, China
As a Chinese, I am really proud of what's been achieved. However, it's my hope that money can be spent wisely in something else such as helping to eliminate poverty in many remote regions in China
Shen Gao, China
Absolutely fantastic!
John, USA
Another country enters space... Absolutely fantastic! The more the merrier! Come on guys...stop the grumbling. You go China, you go Lt Yang Liwei.
John, USA
I think it's pathetic that they can only now do what the US and Russia did 40 years ago. What a joke.
Michael, Texas
I'm very excited that China has finally joined the space club. I hope my country will join Europe, Russia and America to explore the final frontier.
Wang Yin, Shanghai, China
It's an exciting moment! I'm proud of my motherland!
Zheng Haitao, China
I don't think the US is happy about this success.
Guus, USA
People in China are as proud as can be, one would seriously believe that the country is achieving something that has never been done before. I admit I love to point out that China is 40 years late and they are doing it in a Soviet capsule knock-off. But my heart does go out to the guy going up - I truly hope he gets the ride of his life!
Helen, Hong Kong
If successful, it proves they are a half century behind the US (and probably also a half century ahead of Europe).
Michael, USA
I hope that within the next few years they'll land on the moon
Marshall A. Woods, USA
Good for the Chinese! I hope that within the next few years they'll land on the moon, plant their flag there, and claim it for their own. We sorely need something to re-focus us on the importance of space, and it does seem that effective national space programmes require competition and a 'race', rather than cooperation. With any luck the Chinese will reignite that acquisitive, competitive attitude that the US and USSR took towards space in the 1960s.
Marshall A. Woods, USA
I would like to extend congratulations to China for sucessfully putting a man in space.
Cathleen Kipp, USA
China, just like the USSR and USA did, is pursuing a space programme for two reasons. The economic benefit of launching their own satellites (mainly military reconnaissance) and developing manoeuverable nuclear warheads to avoid interception. "Manned space exploration" is good PR. It sounds a lot better to the masses then "Strategic First Strike Programme".
Jared, USA
This heralds China's elevation to superpower status. It'll be interesting to see how the United States responds.
Peter Bolton, US
Delaying the TV broadcast only shows the communists are still scared of their people, scared of failing, scared of what will happen to them when their people have enough of being told what to do.
John, Australia
God Speed to Shenzhou V and Yang Liwei. China has re-arranged the world order today, one of the most important events in recent history.
Simon Proud, UK
Congratulations to China on a great accomplishment. For now our planet is fragmented, but I see the day when the space programme will be shared among Europe, Russia, China and perhaps even the Americans if they can climb down from their particularistic ideology. After all this is a small planet and it belongs to us all - six billion or so.
Thomas Benian, Canada
The success of China makes some envious, whatever may be the case, they have a competitor in their business. So stop critisizing and try to beat it. More nations are ready to follow China.
Zulfi, India
It is a waste of money! We should have a multinational space agency where the money can be pooled together and cost each nation less to put there people and equipment into space.
Chuck, USA
A successful manned space programme by China will not only be good in and of itself, but it might force a serious rethinking of space policy by the United States. It might also motivate other nations to focus more attention on manned spaceflight. For more than thirty years, no country has sent anyone outside of low Earth orbit. The obvious goal is staring us in the face - Mars!
Jeffrey, Austin, TX USA
Putting a man on the moon! I ask you! Did they ask American permission? They risk invasion for having weapons of mass destruction, after Iran, Syria, North Korea....etc It could even provoke another war of words. Whilst it is another milestone in space exploration it makes me slightly queasy that China is now another superpower.
Tony, Welling Kent
The symbol is clear: China, and the Chinese form of Communism is just as important in the future of humanity as democracy. Let us hope that the world is united rather than divided by this fact.
Steve, Maidstone in Kent, UK
I'm really glad the Chinese are going into space; it's a nice reminder to Europe of just how ineffective we are, despite our lofty opinion of ourselves. And anything that annoys America can't be bad...
Chris, UK
China will be the dominant force in the world in coming future
Gil Bolton, UK
I remember the words that China is a sleeping giant, and it is. China will be the dominant force in the world in coming future. Industrialists are flocking there because of the cheap and plentiful supply of labour. China will carry on with their space program, even if this fails, which I don't believe it will.
Gil Bolton, UK
I hope the Chinese launch succeeds. If they do then I hope the three big space nations, US, Russia and China can all work together to help mankind achieve great things!
Richard, UK
It could be very important, over the last 30 years since man first set foot on the moon our capacity for space travel has actually diminished to the point where we have no current vehicle capable of the journey. Mankind has an innate instinct to explore and expand our horizons, there is a whole solar system out there to explore!
Peter D, UK
It's astonishingly symbolic of their view of themselves, and of their growing ambitions.
Steve, UK
If China is to become a major player then it is absolutely essential that they develop a sound space program. I completely agree with Richard and Patrick V. Staton that if the big four worked together it would probably benefit everyone, but I don't think the Americans would allow it because it would threaten their interests. If only the US and the Soviet Union worked together during the Cold War instead of building up an arsenal of nuclear weapons, by now we could have had a base on the moon or even a man on Mars!!
Charles S, UK
We're talking here about exploration and research that, for once, might actually serve the interests of humanity
Patrick V. Staton, Guildford, UK
USA, Europe, Russia and China could pool their finances and technological expertise to develop a global space program far greater than the sum of its individual components. We're talking here about exploration and research that, for once, might actually serve the interests of humanity and not be merely a public relations exercise to line the pockets and the prides of duplicitous governments.
Patrick V. Staton, Guildford, UK
Very important, This is just showing to the world the emergence of a new super power.
Ahmed, Canada
The Chinese leadership is obsessed with propaganda. The reality of China is a country where wealth aggregates towards a few highly polluted urban centres and hundreds of thousands of country people die of starvation each year there is a less than average harvest. China needs a man in space like it needs a collective hole in its collective head. Have the courage to manage, devolve political and economic power to regions. That is the only way China can earn international respect; not by stupid grandiose gestures.
Tom, UK
I guess we all know how important the China space mission is to China and to the world actually. It is not a mater of right or wrong to delay footage of the launch. It is just a decision made in their best interest.
Jane, Boston, US
I do support any country in its effort to conquer space. Hopefully they will come to the conclusion that working with the rest of the world instead of going it alone would be more effective.
Mike Daly, USA
It will be a tremendous boost to national confidence and self-esteem
Chris, US
The Chinese space mission is of the utmost importance to the Chinese, as it will be a tremendous boost to national confidence and self-esteem. One is tempted to say that the world doesn't need another space program, especially where the money could be better spent on Chinese education and infrastructure. However, NASA seems to have stagnated and more nations in the space business may foster the competitive spirit that will eventually drive mankind to mount bigger and more ambitious missions. Good luck to the Chinese and Godspeed.
Chris, US
I believe a country like China should have its sights on the stars, but I also believe the launch should be shown on live television to its citizens. A moment such as this, whether triumphant or tragic, should be shared be all of the people who stand behind its brave pioneers who are forging into the unknown.
Lance Rosol, USA
It's not important at all, billions of pounds are wasted every year on space travel, which could be used to build hospitals, schools etc etc etc, what will it prove, absolutely nothing, and what good will it do, about the same.
Lester Stenner, UK
Politically it lets them cross a barrier and join other the other world super-powers. Scientifically, not very important in terms of pioneering anything, but they could contribute alternative technologies and accelerate humanity's progress in space exploration.
Alex, Gibraltar
I think that the Chinese space conquest show how this country is being developed. Even if Communism is still leading the country, we are able to notice that China is becoming a powerful nation. China will be a great nation as Europeans are. The delay is due to the Communist secret which is still a value there. By this way, they don't want to break the moral of the population.
John, France
=====================================================================
