Posted: Fri, Feb 14, 2003, 6:32 AM ET (1132 GMT)
A leading Chinese space official said Thursday that the nation continues to plan its first manned spaceflight later this year despite the loss of the space shuttle Columbia. Zhang Qingwei, president of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, told the China Daily newspaper that China will continue plans for a manned Shenzhou flight later this year "without being distracted" by the Columbia tragedy. However, Zhang and Qi Faren, chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft, said that the Columbia accident made them aware that "we always need to be cautious and meticulous in scientific undertakings." The Christian Science Monitor reported Thursday that the accident brought "a new sobriety" to thoughts among the Chinese elite about manned spaceflight and its implications to the global reputation of the nation.

Related Links:

•  China Daily article
•  Christian Science Monitor article