Space missions not directly linked to defense
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Xinhua, November 18, 2011
China's space missions have not included any programs that directly serve defense purposes, a senior space program official said Friday.
However, space-related technological developments can be used in both civilian and military sectors, Wang Zhaoyao, vice director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office, said at a press conference.
"For example, a communication satellite can be used for TV broadcasting and military communication," he said.
In response to comments that China's space missions have lacked transparency, Wang said the country has made great efforts to introduce its missions to the outside world and will continue to cooperate with other countries under the principle of mutual respect, mutual benefit and transparency.
China completed its first-ever space docking mission Thursday after the successful landing of the unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou-8, which docked twice with the space lab module Tiangong-1 during its 17-day mission.
