The Hindu : Setback should not deter us: China

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 03, 2003

International

International

Setback should not deter us: China

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE FEB. 2. China today called for the sustained exploration of outer space despite the tragic break-up of Columbia space shuttle.

China, which aspires to become a front-line space-faring nation, joined several other Asia Pacific countries to express condolences to the U.S. over the disaster.

In a message to the U.S. President, George W. Bush, his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin, expressed the belief that mankind would continue and make further progress in space exploration despite the setback.

Mr. Jiang conveyed the deep condolences of the Chinese Government and people. China sent a similar message to Israel, whose first astronaut, was among those killed.

China hopes to launch a manned space mission as soon as possible, perhaps as early as this year itself.

For Beijing, therefore, the lessons of the tragedy will be of considerable importance.

Japan condoles

The Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, too condoled the death of all the seven astronauts who were aboard `Columbia'.

Mr. Koizumi expressed his country's deep sorrow.

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