China on Thursday published a white paper on space activities, illustrating the development of China's space industry over the past five years and its plans for the near future.

The 8,500-character white paper, the second of its kind since 2000, is titled "China's Space Activities in 2006" and released by the Information Office of the State Council.

The white paper introduces the aims and principles of China's space development, progress made in the past five years, development targets and major tasks for the next five years, development policies and measures and international exchanges and cooperation.

The white paper says it has been 50 "splendid" years since China embarked on the road to develop its space industry, starting in 1956. For half a century, China has made eye-catching achievements, and ranks among the world's most advanced countries in some important fields of space technology.

In the new stage of development, China will "center its work on the national strategic goals, strengthen its innovative capabilities and do its best to make the country's space industry develop faster and better," the white paper says.

China's Space Activities in 2006

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2006)