FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

President Xi Tells Chang’e-4 Workers, Space Exploration Is the ‘Common Dream of All Mankind’

Feb. 20, 2019 (EIRNS)—This afternoon, China’s President Xi Jinping congratulated some 400 of the scientists and engineers who worked on the Chang’e-4 lunar mission, at a meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

He emphasized, in paraphrase, that space exploration is endless, and that China’s vast number of scientific and technological workers and space workers must advance their overall goal of the lunar exploration project, continue to work hard to promote the development of the world’s space industry, and contribute more Chinese wisdom to the building of a shared community of human destiny.

President Xi congratulated everyone who contributed to the development of China’s space industry, and to all those who participated in the outstanding achievements of the Chang’e-4 mission, realizing the first spacecraft to explore the far side of the Moon. With that, China took the lead in engraving a Chinese footprint on the back of the Moon.

Xi Jinping emphasized that great undertakings start with dreams. Dreams are the source of energy. The Chinese nation is a nation that dares to chase dreams. The implementation of the lunar exploration project is the dream of the Chinese nation’s self-improvement. Every bold idea and successful implementation of the lunar exploration program is a full demonstration of the human ability to recognize and utilize the planet.

Xi Jinping pointed out that

“practice tells us that great undertakings are based on innovation. Innovation determines the future. Building a world of science and technology is not a smooth road. Only innovation can seize the opportunities. This Chang’e-4 task has achieved a number of innovations, filling a series of international and domestic gaps.... We must ... strive to achieve major breakthroughs in key core technologies, and upgrade the national innovation system ... and strive to occupy an important place in the world’s high-tech fields.

“Exploring the vast universe is the common dream of all mankind,”

he said.

“China aerospace actively promotes international cooperation and has carried out fruitful cooperation with many countries and international organizations. The success of the Chang’e-4 mission has included the contributions of many participating countries. We are willing to work with other countries in the world to adhere to joint construction and sharing, to strengthen international exchanges in basic scientific research, promote the construction of large-scale scientific plans, projects and centers, expand open cooperation in innovation capabilities, and promote the development of human science.”