On June 30, 1958, China built its first heavy water reactor and cyclotron, which symbolized that China had entered the atomic age. The reactor generated 7,000-10,000 kw of thermal power, and the cyclotron accelerated alpha particles, producing 25 million electron volt power.

At the same time, China also built a high pressure electrostatic accelerator which accelerates protons to produce 2.5 million volt power. On September 27, China produced the first radioisotope with the atomic reactor. The neutron introduced from the atomic reactor, two kinds of rays, and the particles produced from the accelerator with a speed of 3,400 km per second were used in physical research on the atomic nucleus, which marked an important stage in China's atomic science development and the peaceful utility of the atomic energy.

In December 1980, a high-flux atomic reactor was built, symbolizing that China had entered the world's advanced level in the field of nuclear science. The high-flux reactor produces 600 thousand billion neutrons per square centimeter space per second. The high-flux neutrons are radioactive. The reactor is equipped with complete means for technical research, and has engineering experimental research facilities. The research facilities can test the property of the reactor material, characteristics of new fueling parts, produce isotope and ultrauranium elements, and carry out many atomic nucleus physical experiments, rivaling foreign facilities.

The production of nuclear energy was a breakthrough in the development of the energy industry. Through 30 years' hard work, China has mastered the complicated technologies connected to exploring and smelting nuclear material-- uranium ore, the splitting of isotopes, designing and manufacturing reactor parts, and treating and storing nuclear waste, becoming one of the few countries in the world that has mastered these reactor technologies.

Discovery of the Daqing Oil Field

China has now become one of the big oil producing countries in the world, with an annual production of over 100 million tons. China can fully meet the needs of domestic oil consumption, and exports some oil to foreign countries. In comparison, back in 1949, China could only produce 120,000 tons of oil each year.

In 1953, famous geologist Li Siguang discovered evidence that confirmed deposits of oil in the Songhuajiang-Liaohe Basin in northeast China. On September 26, 1959, near Datong Town, Zhaozhou County of Heilongjiang Province, the No.3 Songji Oil Well began to produce oil. It was just before the 10th anniversary of the founding of New China. To commemorate the day, Datong Town was renamed Daqing (great celebration), and the whole oil deposit belt was named the Daqing Oil Field. The oil field was formed with lake deposits over a 100 million years ago, where oil and natural gas are abundant and of fine quality. To date it remains the largest oil field in China. The construction of this world advanced oil field was completed in three years starting in 1960, which could produce over 50 million tons of oil each year. In 1973, a petroleum pipeline connecting Daqing with the Qinhuangdao harbor was built, and oil ports set up in the harbor and Dalian's Nianyu Bay, which provided convenience for oil transportation.

Fast-Speed Digital Electronic Computer

China's first fast speed digital electronic computer with an operational speed of 10,000/per second was successfully produced in 1959. The computer was installed in the CAS's computing technological research room.

Nuclear and Hydrogen Bombs

On October 16, 1964, China exploded the first nuclear bomb in Lop Nur of Xinjiang, becoming the third country to have atomic bomb in the world after the United States and Russia.

China began the experiment on atomic bomb after the founding of New China in 1949, for the purpose of safeguarding the nation and maintaining world peace. By relying on its own scientists, China set up an industrial production system from surveying, exploration and tapping of uranium ore, U-isotope splitting to production of nuclear fueling material and operation of reactor, and achieved great success.

In June 1967, China successfully exploded the first hydrogen bomb.

From the explosion of the first atomic bomb to the first hydrogen bomb, China used two years and eight months, while the United States spent seven years and four months, Russia four years, Britain four years and seven months and France eight years and six months.

Synthetic Crystalline Bovine Insulin

September 17, 1965, CAS' Bio-Chemical Institute, together with other institutes, synthesized a biological protein- crystalline bovine insulin after six years of work, and became the first in the world to do so.

Successful Operation on Heart Valve Installation

September 20, 1965, the Shanghai Hospital attached to the Shanghai No.2 Military Medical University conducted a complicated operation on a serious heart disease patient and successfully installed a China-made heart valve. At the time, only a few countries were able to do such operation. The successful production and clinical application of the heart valve opened a new page in the history of Chinese cardiovascular surgery.

Launching of the First Man-Made Earth Satellite

On April 24, 1970, China successfully orbited the first man-made satellite No.1 Dongfanghong with the China-made Long March I carrier rocket from the Jiuquan satellite launch center. This marked an important step in China's space research.

The satellite was a dodecahedron, 1.7 meters in diameter, and weighed 173 kg. The apogee and perigee of its orbit were 2,384 km and 439 km respectively, and it took 114 minutes for the satellite to complete one orbit. The satellite was equipped with advanced telescope, camera, radar etc. It broadcast the tune "The East is Red," which even a common radio on earth could receive.

China's space research started in the mid-1950s. In 1967, it established the China Space Technology Institute. Three years later, China successfully launched its first man-made satellite. After 10-odd years of efforts, China became the fifth country in the world to launch satellites with self-developed carrier rockets, and to master the technology of satellite recovery. China was also able to launch three satellites on one carrier rocket, the fourth country in the world to do so, and the fifth to master the technology of launching a telecommunications satellite.

Successful Trial-Production of the First 1,000,000/Second Computer

In August 1973, China successfully trial-produced its first integrated circuit electronic computer of 1,000,000/second, the third generation of computers after valve and transistor electronic computers. The computer, with a store capacity of 130,000 characters, had 22 pieces of external equipment in 9 categories, such as magnetic tape and disk recording, type-writing, card punching, input and output units.

New Discovery in Cell Genetics

In 1973, CAS biologist Tong Dizhou and his student, the Chinese American scientist M.K. Niu, announced that their experiments in the CAS Animal Institute had proved that m-RNA has an obvious function on the division, growth, and character inheritance of cells. The success contributed greatly to the basic theory of cell genetics, and opened a broader way for medical and agricultural practice.

Scientific Research on the Pacific Ocean

In 1976, China sent 10,000-ton scientific prospecting vessels Xiangyang V and Xiangyang XI to the Pacific Ocean for scientific research, and acquired a large number of first-hand materials in many disciplines. This research made a great contribution to Chinese ocean science.

Breakthrough in Goldbach's Conjecture

Chinese mathematician Chen Jingrun achieved a world advanced position in 1977 in his calculation of the "Goldbach's conjecture." He proved that any sufficient even number could be the product of a prime number plus at most two other prime numbers (abbreviated as 1+2). The conjecture had remained unresolved for over 200 years. British mathematician Harbstein and a German mathematician referred to it as "Chen's theorem" in their book.

Shi Fengshou's Fast Calculation

In 1979, Shi Fengshou, a 23-year-old student of China Science & Technology University, created a fast calculation method, which could conduct calculations of long numbers in plus, minus, multiplication, division, involution, evolution and fraction within a few seconds and get a correct answer.

Successful Research on RNA Semi-Molecule

On December 27, 1979, Chinese scientists successfully synthesized a RNA semi-molecule composed of 41 nucleotides, which opened a way for creating synthetic m-RNA. It consisted of 76 nucleotides, whose molecule quantity is as high as 25,000. Synthetic m-RNA is of great significance in research into genetic engineering, viruses and tumors.

Five-Stroke Code Computer Input Method

In August 1983, the five-stroke code Chinese character computer input method passed technological appraisal, and was praised as an invention equivalent to that of printing type. The birth of five-stroke code solved the problem of Chinese character computer input. Thus, Chinese characters entered the information age.

Chinese scientific workers analyzed the structural (composition) law of ten thousands characters with knowledge of philology, computer science, systematic science, and man-machine engineering. They put forward the "three-principle in character code design," and created the 25-key four-code character input method of high-efficiency and the "word-phrase combination" technology. For the first time in the world, the method could input Chinese characters with 25 keys, with the speed of one hundred characters per second, rivaling the speed of English input.

The five-stroke input method was soon popularized across the country, and became a productive force, winning patents in the United States, Britain and China. It has become the first computer technology that China exported to America.

Robot Research

China began its research into robots in 1958. In 1984, the first spray paint robot appeared in the Beijing Automatic Institute. In 1985, the robot research institute of the Harbin Industrial University (HIU) and Harbin Fenghua machine plant co-produced the first arc-welding robot. In November 1988, the Huayu I arc-welding robot, Xingguang I right angle coordinate spot welding robot, and Dongfang I paint spray robot of the HIU Robot Research Institute passed technological appraisal. Through testing and checks in practical production, their main technological indexes all reached world level.

In 1987, eight arc-welding robots of four types were placed on the production line. Through production checks, all technological indexes reached the required level, marking the point where China's robot technology had entered the stage of production application. By 1997, 10 kinds of robots such as spot-welding, arc-welding, wall-climbing, and intelligent guiding robots were in use, of which, the full automatic packaging robot piling production line has been adopted in eight large petrochemical enterprises.

In the 1990s, the HIU Robot Research Institute began research into a second generation of intelligent robots. From 1994 to 1996, they developed creeping tube, space, micro-nanometer scale micro-driving robots, and achieved 15 major results such as three-dimensional vision system of arc-welding robot, and visual robot micro-driving end operator. The intelligent robot, the first with Chinese large robot emulation software, possesses multiple functions. The system is close to the world advanced level. It marked the point where China had mastered the key technology of large emulation software, which had great significance in the development of robot and related automatic technology. The robot developed by Shenyang Automatic Research Institute was twice tested under the sea of Hawaii at a depth of 6,000 meters.

As a major research project of the State Science and Technology Commission (SSTC), in 1997, two HG-100A spot-welding robots with a load capacity of 100 kg were produced, the first robot application project of the No.1 automobile manufacturing plant. It created conditions for producing 120 robots by the year 2000, and for forming a robot industry with intellectual property rights in China.

Establishing the Great Wall Scientific Inspection Station
at the South Pole

On February 20, 1985, at the South Pole some 10,000-km from home, Chinese scientists established their first scientific survey station--the China South Pole Great Wall Station--launching China's independent research into development of polar region.

Since 1980, China has been sending scientists to the South Pole for scientific investigation. On November 20, 1984, the Xiangyanghong X sailed from Shanghai, passing through the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, crossing 98 degrees of latitude and 183 degrees of longitude, 6 climatic zones and 13 time zones, and finally arrived in Antarctic on December 26.

First Group of Nuclear Power Stations in China

China began to design its first nuclear power station-the Qinshan Nuclear Station-- in 1970 in Haiyan County, Zhejiang Province. The first-phase construction started at the beginning of 1985, with an installed capacity of 300,000 kw. At the same time, construction also began on the 1.8-million-kw Dayawan nuclear station located 60 km east of Shenzhen.

Two-thirds of the world's nuclear stations are pressurized water reactors with safe properties, and the Qinshan and Dayawan plants are of this type.

Research, Application and Development of Super-Conductivity

China is now at the world's advanced level in research, application and development of super-conductivity, which is highly appraised by counterparts abroad.

China's superconductivity has reached the world advanced level. In 1987, scientists of the CAS Physics Institute developed high critical temperature superconductivity at absolute 100 degrees centigrade and above. Now, they have made achievements at the world advanced level in research into new super-conducting material, the crystal structure of bronze oxide super-conducting material and their mutual relationships, and in development of high temperature super-conducting electronic wares. For example, the super-conducting quantum interferometer developed by Chinese scientists can work under liquid nitrogen temperature and be able to test a weak magnetic field one/100,000,000th of that of the earth, and this has been applied in the earth physical exploration. The high temperature super-conducting cable developed in China, has reached the level of America and Japan, and has gone into trial use. The China-developed super-conducting material of world advanced level in suspension and magnetic properties, is now being applied in an experimental magnetic suspension train.

Research on Osteomyelitis

Well-known medical scientist Yang Shuiwen, who has been member of the medical science commission of the Public Health Department (PHD), independently created a theory explaining elements causing osteomyelitis, winning high praise from the world's medical science circle.

The highly-effective, low-toxic medicine for curing osteomylitis developed by Yang surpassed the best foreign medicines. It has won a state science progress award, and has been listed top among the 13 major Chinese traditional medicines with excellent clinical effects by the State Traditional Medicine Administration (STMB). Yang's medicine ranked top among the 18 countries and regions engaged in advanced osteomyelitis research.

Research on Anti-Cancer Traditional Medicine

The study group headed by Pro. Li Dapeng of Zhejiang Traditional Medical College spent 20 years extracting an effective anti-cancer active substance from the seed of Job's Tears. With world advanced preparation techniques, Professor Li developed this into the "Kanglaite" injection liquid, which could be used in large quantities for artery and vein injections. Its effect is similar to that of chemotherapy, and can directly kill cancer cells and prevent them multiplying. At the same time, it enhances the overall immunity of the body, and protects normal cells. The clinical practice in PHD pharmacology hospitals proved that "Kanglaite" has good effect on malignant tumors such as lung, liver and stomach cancers, with the effectiveness is equal that of chemotherapy, and even better than it in terms of improving the immunity index and detecting clinical symptoms. The clinical application also changed the concept that traditional medicine could only be used as subsidiary treatment for cancer, and that anti-cancer herbal medicines could only be taken orally. On May 9, 1988, STMB approved its mass production, with an output enough to supply the needs of 50,000 patients. It is used in hospitals in over 20 countries and regions.

Completion of Positive and Negative Electron Collider in Beijing

The construction of the positive and negative electron collider is the largest project in China's history. It was proposed by the Chinese American scientist Tsung-dao Lee when he first came back home in 1972, and was also the last project with instructions from Premier Zhou Enlai just before he passed away. The project became the first fulfillment of the Sino-American scientific and technological cooperative agreement signed during Deng Xiaoping's visit to the United States in 1979. The project broke ground in October 1984 and was completed in October 1988, marking major progress in Chinese science and technology.

The collider consists of five parts: accelerating electron and positive electron accelerator; high-speed electron and positive electron storage rings; detector for collision analysis; synchronized radiation experimental zone for research and use of the constant rays released by high-speed electrons and positive electrons; and computer center for analysis and calculation of the whole process with fast computer.

The collider can be used in scientific research in the fields of particle physics, energy, materials, biology, chemistry and integrated circuits, and to produce products for export.

Successful Development of Galaxy-III 10,000,000,000/Second Computer

The Galaxy-III 10,000,000,000/second computer, developed by National Defense Science & Technology University, passed state appraisal in Beijing on June 19, 1997. The system reached world advanced level of modern technology, and possesses the key technology of higher-grade computers, and the capability of developing a huge computer of better performance. It marked a breakthrough in the technology of huge, high performance computers in China.

The Galaxy-III possesses superior integral performance, highly efficient software system, powerful network computing environment, with unique reliable design, and fine engineering design. Its computing speed is 13 billion per second, and the comprehensive processing capacity is over 10 times that of Galaxy-II, but is only one sixth the latter's size. The system is highly flexible. It can be packaged into several 100 million/second computer systems in accordance with requirement of users, or into huge computer system with super-high performance, and will be highly efficient and practical in both cases.

Creation of Whole-body Gamma Scalpel

Shenzhen Aowo International Science & Technology Development Co. Ltd. is the birthplace of the first generation of gamma ray scalpel in China. It is a company with powerful development competency in nuclear physics, nuclear medicine and computer software. At the end of 1996, the company chose the Hubei Machine Tool Factory to trial-manufacture the first whole-body gamma scalpel from among over 30 enterprises.

In October 1997, the first gamma scalpel in the world was successfully trial-produced by the factory, the key part of which surpassed that of the French equivalent. The Chinese achievement filled a vacancy of non-cutting medical equipment in the world and laid a fine foundation for entering the world market.

2.16-Meter Optical Celestial Telescope

The 2.16-meter diameter optical celestial telescope, designed, developed and produced by Chinese technological workers, passed appraisal in December 1996. The optical telescope with largest diameter in China and Asia, reached world advanced level in the 2-meter grade. The 2.16-meter telescope first used relay lens in the code system transformation, which has now been widely used in large astronomical telescopes around the world. The design of image field correction in the system reached world advanced level, and the star image also came to advanced level of the world.

The telescope was put into use in the Xinglong observation station of the Beijing Observatory in 1992. It combined advanced technologies in the areas of optics, machinery, electronic control and automation, and has become the main observatory equipment of astronomy and celestial physics in China. Chinese astronomers have achieved rich results in celestial physical researches of active galactic nucleus, quasi-stellar object (QSO), and variable stars. Beijing Observatory's Xinglong observation station has hence become the main base of domestic celestial physical observation and combined international observation.

Wind-Tunnel Test

The supersonic wind-tunnel base, built in 1997, is the largest space and aviation power research base in Asia. It mainly undertakes gas power research and space and aviation equipment experiments, as well as large weapons systems, and is capable of conducting wind-tunnel tests, digital calculations, and model free flying tests. The base has established over 40 pieces of wind tunnel equipment, ranging from low, high to super-high speed, most of which are the best in China or even Asia, and some have reached advanced world level. All these have laid the foundation for research, test and development of new space and aviation flying apparatus.

With the advantage of a large wind-tunnel and high level talent, scientific research in China has approached the world advanced level. In the development of missiles, scientists have successfully applied electro-arc heating to satellite recovery and missile solar heat protection tests, providing key data for solar heat protection design. In developing new helicopters, experts successfully solved the synchronized collection of vibration, test and dynamic data.

The base also conducted large simulated wind tunnel experiments of wind resistance for high-rise and externally complicated structures such as the Central TV tower, Huangpu Bridge, Chengdu People's Stadium and so on; and anti-drag wind resistance experiments for civil airplanes, cars of various types, trucks, and China's first express train with a speed of 350 kph (which is to be used on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen Railway), and reached the goal of high speed, with power-saving and comfort.

Radioactive Beam Physical Research

Lanzhou heavy ion acceleration radioactive beam fairwater, the state hi-tech project, passed the CAS appraisal on February 20, 1998.

China's first radioactive beam fairwater is a 35-meter-long bunch. After 2,100 hours of steady operation, it accomplished three frontier physical experiments, and rendered over 30 radionuclides, which proved its application. The radioactive beam physical research is in the most advanced state in the world. Scientists used it to further observe the micro-composition and law of change law within a nucleus, and discover the new appearance and law, so as to broaden understanding of the micro-material world. It could be applied to military, astronomy, life science, computer science, medicine, and new material development and other fields.

Marine Science and Technology

China now has 109 research institutes related to ocean science and over 13,000 technological staff.

Since the founding of New China, China's ocean investigative scope expanded from coastal waters to the ocean, and from sea surface observation to space and aviation remote sensing, and underwater exploration.

In 1983, China signed the Antarctic Treaty, and began investigation of the South Pole and its surrounding waters. Until 1997, China had conducted 14 scientific surveys to the South Pole, and established the Great Wall and Zhongshan South Pole scientific survey stations. In 1996, China joined the International North Pole Science Commission and actively participated in related international cooperative projects.

China's ocean science study has formed a multi-subject ocean science system with regional characteristics, centered on coastal continental shelf oceanography. The related state department has worked out an ocean science development strategy and plan and a target for ocean science development. In recent years, China has made marked progress in physical and biological oceanography, ocean geology, and ocean chemistry, which provided scientific guidance and proof for ocean fishery, ocean oil and gas resources tapping, ocean environment protection and ocean disaster prevention and relief.

Birth of Computer 2000 Software

The Computer 2000 software, a breakthrough in solving the global problem - 2000 Problem, was successfully developed and passed appraisal in Changsha, Hunan Province in November 1998, with technical properties reaching the world advanced level. The appraisal committee, composed of well-known information experts, concluded that the software was uniquely devised with high technology, was applicable with steady properties, and that it was highly capable of independently solving the 2000 year computer problem and should be spread to the whole country.

The software possesses eight-digit date recording function, and is highly compatible to that it can be applied to 286 to 586 personal computers in various fields of finance, telecommunication, power, transportation and national defense.

Cloud Physical Research and Artificial Influence on Climate

Through large observation and by introducing modern experimental methods over the past 40 years, China made great progress in cloud physical research and artificial influence on climate, revealing the macro- and micro-composition, characteristics and changing laws of cloud, fog, rainfall and hail, which has played an important role in establishing the large artificial rainfall system, as well as hail prevention, disaster prevention and relief.

In February 1958, the State Science Planning Commission decided to put on the agenda the cloud physical research and artificial influence on the climate which was still virgin territory. In August of the same year, Jilin and Gansu provinces began artificial rainfall creation by airplanes to ease an extreme drought. Later, artificial hail prevention and fog dispersal experiments were conducted in some areas, launching the artificial influencing of China's climate, and promoting full development of cloud physical external field observation, lab tests and theoretical research. In May 1995, the State Council approved the setting up of the artificial influence on climate municipal conference system comprising 13 departments and commissions to strengthen state organization, coordination and instruction on the work.

In the field of artificial climate influence, much progress has been made in external field observation, theoretical digital research and lab experiments, and in cloud selection, operating theory and condition analysis, catalytic technology, outcome appraisal, and telecommunication instruction. A scientific system of artificial rainfall creation and hail prevention was initially set up using aircraft, artillery and rockets.

Now, China has the capacity to artificially influence climate in a large way. According to 1997 statistics, a majority of provinces and 1,167 counties and cities conducted artificial rainfall creation and hail prevention experiments; and about 20 provinces and cities used aircraft to increase rainfall artificially. Artificial climate control has been widely used and become an effective measure in agricultural disaster relief.

Carrier Rockets of China

In May 1980, China successfully launched a carrier rocket which then landed at a predetermined point in the Pacific Ocean. It was the first time China fired a rocket from its own territory into the high seas. In 1982, the rocket developed by China was successful in its first space flight experiment. In October the same year, a Chinese submarine successfully launched a carrier rocket from underwater, and this was followed by another successful rocket launch by a Chinese nuclear submarine in September 1988.

China has two series of Long March and Storm-I carrier rockets.

The Long March series include: LM-1, LM-2C, LM-2E, LM-2C improved, LM-3, LM-3A and LM-3B.

By 1993, China had sold nine types of rockets on the international market, offering launching satellite services of various types and orbits, such as low earth orbit, solar stationary orbit and earth synchronous transfer orbit satellites. The comprehensive technological performance had reached international advanced level. Chinese rocket researchers have developed cluster technology, new hydrogen-oxygen engine technology and multi-satellite launching technology, upgrading the earth-synchronous orbit carrier capacity from 1.5 tons to 5 tons and the low earth orbit carrier capacity from 2.5 tons to 9.2 tons.

Meanwhile, scientists have succeeded in developing the EPKM solid engine for perigee orbit transference and dispenser for Iridium satellite launching. The maximum carrier capacity and accuracy of injection of the Long March rockets can match that of rockets from the United States, Russia and the European Space Agency. So far, China has made more than 50 successful satellite launches using its Long March rockets, including 23 foreign ones.

LM-1D: 28.2 m long, 81 tons of take-off weight, 750 kg of payload capacity.

LM-2C: 32.6 m long, 192 tons of take-off weight, 2,500 kg of payload capacity.

LM-2D: 38.3 m long, 232 tons of take-off weight, 3,100 kg of payload capacity.

LM-2E: 51 m long, 464 tons of take-off weight, 9,200 kg of payload capacity.

LM-3: 43.3 m long, 204 tons of take-off weight, 1,500 kg of payload capacity.

LM-2C (improved): 40 m long, 3.35 m in diameter, 213 tons of take-off weight, 2.5 tons of maximum load capacity. Success in first launching on September 1, 1997 and first launching of an Iridium satellite on December 8, 1997. It successfully carried two Iridium satellites for the US Motorola company on March 26, 1998, and two more on May 2 of the same year. The rocket is mainly used for launching near-earth orbit and circular orbit satellites. The LM-2C and its improved rockets have been used in 16 launchings since their first operation on September 9, 1982, and all have been successful. They have carried 21 satellites into space.

LM-2D: 38.3 m long, 232 tons of take-off weight. It is a 2-stage liquid-propellant carrier rocket, which made 3 successful launchings during 1992-96.

LM-3A: 52.5 m long, 241 tons of take-off weight, 2,500 kg of payload capacity.

LM-3B: 54.8 m long, 426 tons of take-off weight, 4,800 kg of payload capacity.

LM-3B: 54.838 m long, 426 tons of take-off weight. It had been a 3-stage liquid-propellant cluster carrier rocket with the largest high orbit carrier capacity by 1997, capable of sending a payload of 5,000 kg into an earth-synchronous transfer orbit with a dip angle of 28.5 degrees. It boasts the largest thrust among the Long March rockets.

LM-4: 42 m long, 249 tons of take-off weight, 1,650 kg of payload capacity.

Satellite Launchings in China

China started launching satellites in the 1960s. In May 1958, Mao Zedong suggested the Chinese should make their own satellites. In September 1965, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) established its Institute of Satellite, and began planning for the launch of the first man-made object into space. On April 24, 1970, China successfully launched its first artificial earth satellite and became the fifth country in the world after the Soviet Union, the United States, France and Japan to do so. Afterwards, China succeeded in developing and launching scientific experiment satellites, recoverable satellites and geo-stationary communication satellites. It ranks among the few countries with the technology of satellite recovery, multi-satellite launching by one rocket and synchronized positioning.

China began contracting satellite launch services for foreign clients in the early 1990s. On April 7, 1990, the LM-3 carrier rocket launched the AsiaSat-I from the Xichang Satellite Launching Center, marking the entry of Chinese rockets into the world satellite launch market. By August 1998, China had successfully orbited more than 50 man-made earth satellites, including 23 foreign ones, such as AsiaSat-1, AsiaSat-2, Apstar 1, Apstar 1A, Echostar-1, Sino No. 1 and two Australian communication satellites, and provided a piggyback service for one scientific experimental satellite from Pakistan and the Freja satellite of Sweden. China has independently developed and successfully launched 39 artificial earth satellites in four categories: 17 recoverable remote-sensing satellites, 7 communication and broadcasting satellites, 2 meteorological satellites, and 13 satellites for various purposes of scientific exploration and technological experimentation.