A high ranking official said the performance and reliability of the nation's existing Long March series -- used to launch 30 foreign-made satellites since 1985 -- will be upgraded and the development of next generation launch vehicles will be concentrated on producing non-toxic, non-polluting and low cost units.

A focus on providing international commercial launch services will continue and the establishment of a complete research, development and testing system for a manned space flight is in being completed.

At the China International Aviation and Aerospace Forum 2002, Ma Xingrui, vice-president of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation said yesterday the development of space technology would assist the country to further advance its satellite research.

China has more than 600 satellite-related institutions and departments with almost 10,000 technicians involved in the research, development, testing and application of satellite remote sensing.

China has a remote sensing satellite ground station capable of receiving data from electro-optical or radar-based satellites.

Many satellites are used by provinces and municipalities to gain survey information, in addition to allowing environmental monitoring crop estimation and disaster assessment.

Ma said meteorological satellite systems have greatly improved the accuracy of weather forecasts, helping to reduce economic losses from natural disasters by several billion yuan.

Participants at the forum have also been told of China's development in satellite communication and positioning.

Ma said more satellites were expected to be launched in the next couple of years.

Sun Laiyan, secretary-general of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, outlined the nation's satellite plan during his speech.

He said China would speed up the research and development of 8-10 kilowatt large-scale communication satellite common platforms with a life circle of 15 years.

The industry will establish three meteorology, resource and ocean satellite systems and an environment and disaster monitoring satellite system.

China's Long March carrier rocket has been launched 67 times and 26 in a row since October 1996 have been successful. China has also sent 27 foreign-made and 50 self-developed satellites into space successfully.

Sun said the Chinese Government encourages aerospace enterprises to devote efforts to expanding the exporting of products and services, providing they do not break the law, and supports local aerospace enterprises' participation in international commercial aerospace launching services under the principles of equality, fairness and mutual benefit.

Sun said with regional aircraft at its center, China's aviation industry will focus on developing competitive and new regional aircraft with turbofan engines.

He said the Chinese Government would give more policy support to research within the aviation industry.

The forum started on Saturday and ends Monday.

(People's Daily November 4, 2002)