China's first manned spacecraft Shenzhou V?has carried crop
seeds from Taiwan into space, said a senior Chinese space
official?in Beijing?Thursday.
"We did this because it is good for farmers on both sides of the
Taiwan Straits," said Xie Mingbao, director of China Manned Space
Engineering Office at a press conference.
Xie said so far there was still no plan for space cooperation
across the Taiwan Straits, but added, "We are willing to actively
promote anything that will benefit Taiwan compatriots."
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)
