Space

DATE=10/15/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-308607

TITLE=CHINA SPACE REAX (L-O)

BYLINE=KATHERINE MARIA

DATELINE=HONG KONG

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The launch of the Shenzhou-five, China's first manned spacecraft, has brought both congratulations and competitiveness from other nations with space programs. V-O-A's Katherine Maria reports from Hong Kong, where residents expressed an unusual swell of pride for China.

TEXT: /// CLASSROOM APPLAUSE ///

Students in a Hong Kong classroom applauded news of China's successful space launch.

/// SCHOOLBOY IN CANTONESE, EST & FADE ///

This schoolboy appearing on Hong Kong Cable News Channel says he is so pleased with China's first manned mission that he just cannot describe his feelings.

/// 1st HONG KONG MAN IN CANTONESE, EST & FADE ///

And this Hong Kong resident says he feels very proud to be Chinese.

/// 2nd HK MAN IN CANTONESE, EST & FADE ///

Another man watching the launch replayed on one of Hong Kong's many giant outdoor televisions says the event is important because it means that Chinese are standing out.

In Japan, scientists hailed the launch as a great achievement for China - wishing the first taikonaut, Yang Liwei, a safe return.

Mely Caballero-Anthony, a professor at Singapore's Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies dismissed the concerns of some defense experts that China's space mission is meant to showcase its military prowess.

/// CABALLERO-ANTHONY ACT ///

For the region, it is something you can be proud of, but at the same time the so-called China threat that was very prevalent in the eighties and the early nineties would have actually receded.

/// END ACT ///

A space expert in India says that India's scientific community may want to compete with China.

U-R Rao is the former Chief of the Indian Space Research Organization, the country's space agency.

/// RAO ACT ///

I am sure there will be a large number of people who now are inspired to do the same thing. I am not very sure whether it is very worthwhile, particularly for a country like India to spend an enormous amount of money. I believe we have the technological capability, I do not have any doubt about it. But the question is whether we can afford to carry out such missions.

/// END ACT ///

The Director General of the European Space Agency, Jean-Jacques Dordain, issued a statement saying the mission might bring wider cooperation among the international space community. (SIGNED)

NEB/HK/KM/MH/RAE