Xi Jinping: to Ride Wave of Success to Achieve China’s Lunar Exploration Program and to Make More Efforts to Push Forward International Aerospace Cause

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, met representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the research and development of the Chang’e 4 mission at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing afternoon February 20. Xi noted that there is no end for space exploration. Xi called on science and technology workers and space engineers in China to ride on the wave of the Chang’e 4 mission to achieve the general goal of China’s lunar project, make more efforts to push forward international aerospace cause and bring more Chinese wisdom, solutions and force to the peaceful use of space and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Other senior leaders of Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng also attended the meeting.

The Golden Hall of Great Hall of the People was full of brilliant lights and cozy atmosphere. With thunderous applause, Xi and other senior leaders came to the representatives of space scientists and engineers who participated in the research and development of the Chang’e 4 mission at 3:30 pm. Xi shook hands warmly with them, talked to them, asked about their work and life, and took a group photo with them.

With thunderous applause, Xi delivered an important speech. First of all, he expressed his sincere condolences to all the comrades making historic contributions to Chinese aerospace cause and his warm congratulations to all the participants making outstanding contributions to the successful completion of Chang’e 4 mission. Xi said that your outstanding achievements in climbing the scientific and technological peak and exploring the mysteries of the universe are of great exemplary significance in inspiring all the Party, all the Army, all the people from all ethnic groups in China to strive for a new era and a new journey. On behalf of China and all Chinese people, thank you.

Xi pointed out that we celebrated the successful completion of Chang’e 3 mission five years ago. Now we are here to celebrate the successful completion of Chang’e 4 mission. Insisting on independent innovation, collaborative and open innovation, Chang’e 4 mission has realized the first inspection tour of a human spacecraft at the far side of the moon and scored a first by leaving a Chinese footprint at the far side of the moon. It should be viewed as another vivid exploring practice of a new whole nation system.

Xi noted that practice has showed that all the great causes starts with dreams. Dreams are the source of vitality. The Chinese nation is brave enough to purse dreams. The decision about lunar exploration program of the CPC Central Committee is to realize the dream of flying to the moon that the Chinese nation is constantly striving for. Every bold idea and successful implementation of lunar exploration have fully demonstrated human ability to know and utilize the planet. On the journey to a modern socialist powerful nation and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, every industry and every individual must keep a dream and strive bravely and constantly to run for fulfilling the dream by one step at a time and one stick after another.

Xi pointed out practice has showed that all the great causes are based on innovation. Innovation determines future. It is not easy to build a powerful nation in science and technology, only innovation can seize the first opportunity. This mission will to realize multiple innovations, fill the current international and domestic gap, and fully manifest the spirit of independent innovation “dare to play first to have the initiative in hands”. We should keep in line with the global trend of the development of science and technology, carry forward scientific spirit, aim at strategic, fundamental and forward-looking field, and keep simultaneously making up for shortcomings, tracking development and advancing layout so as to break through key core technologies, enhance the overall efficiency of the national innovation system, continuously improve our scientific and technological strength and innovation capability, and to earn an important place in the international high technology field.

Xi noted that practice has showed that all great causes are resulted from hard work. New era is the era of strivers. New era is the era of making great achievements and talents in struggle. We should encourage more scientific experts, leading talents, young talents and innovative teams to create new achievements with hard work and enterprising spirit, realize the value of life in advancing great causes, as well as continuously lay a more solid foundation and make new greater contributions to the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Xi pointed out that exploring the mysteries of the space is the common dream of all mankind. China’s aerospace actively promotes international cooperation projects and cooperates with various countries and international organizations who have made great contributions to the completion of Chang’e 4. China is willing to uphold the spirit of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, strengthen international communication in basic scientific research, promote the major scientific project, engineering and center construction, expand innovation capability and open cooperation, as well as drive the growth of scientific undertakings.

Relevant leaders from the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission also attended the meeting.

Chang’e 4 mission is of two launches, with “Queqiao” relay satellite launched on May 21, 2018 and Chang’e 4 probe consisting of “Yutu” 2 rover and lander on December 8, 2018 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC), which landed on the far side of the moon on January 3, 2019, starting the scientific exploration mission participated by several countries and international organizations. Completion of Chang’e 4 mission is the first soft landing at the far side of the moon of spacecraft and the first tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) between the earth and the far side of the moon in human history, the first footprint left at the far site of the moon in lunar exploration, which has unveiled the mystery of the ancient far site of the moon and opened a new chapter of exploring the mysteries of the universe.