Editor's Note:

The launch of the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft on Saturday, including China's first female astronaut Liu Yang, marks another milestone for China's space program. China's space ambitions first began in the 1970s, culminating in the successful launch of the Shenzhou-5 in 2003, putting China's first man in space. What has ensured the success of the Shenzhou project? What can the spirit of astronauts teach the younger generation? Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV (PTV) talked to Zheng Hao (Zheng), a commentator on current affairs, on these issues.

PTV: After the successful launch of the Shenzhou-9, we've been focusing on topics such as rocket science and increased national power, but are we overlooking the true spirit of the project?

Zheng: There are some typical characteristics of China's aerospace projects; being steady and consistent, enduring humiliation and bearing responsibility, showing absolute respect for science, and being indifferent toward fame and fortune.

Those traits demonstrate the outstanding qualities of the Chinese astronauts.

PTV: What kind of role has the "Shenzhou spirit" played in the development of China's space program?

Zheng: I think it is the Shenzhou spirit that has taught astronauts to hold a serious attitude toward science and their duties. It is the Shenzhou spirit that encouraged them to dedicate themselves to the national space program, and it is the Shenzhou spirit that kept them away from distorted mentality like placing fame and fortune ahead of scientific achievements.

China's space program started in the 1970s, when we called it the "Project 714." Preparations began during the 1980s, and it was officially established in the 1990s.

From "Project 714" to the Shenzhou series, workers on the Chinese space program steadily traveled an unusual development road over a few short decades. They were faced with setbacks and difficulties, especially during the 1970s when China was suffering from an undeveloped economy, backward technology, and a complex international environment.

Now, we have become the third country to master manned spaceflight, after the former Soviet Union and the US. The Shenzhou spirit is a sharp contrast to some modern social problems such as fraud, corruption and twisted values like worshiping fame and fortune over anything else.

We should keep advocating the Shenzhou spirit inherited by generations of Chinese astronauts. Only by sticking to it can we ensure the continuous development of the Chinese economy and a healthy set of values for our children.

PTV: How could we apply the Shenzhou spirit to daily life?

Zheng: During the early years of the 1970s, China launched her first satellite. Back then, I was a third grade student in elementary school. I can still clearly remember that we all walked outside the classroom, and listened to the news program from the China National Radio saying that the universe had now heard the song "The East is Red." We were all very thrilled then.

Compared with four decades ago, China looks very different. On the one hand, the rapid development of economy has provided conditions for the improvement of people's living standards, but on the other hand, some originally held values have been shaken. Under the circumstances, it is of practical significance to re-emphasize the importance of the Shenzhou spirit.

While aerospace experts are explaining professional technology to young people, I want to discuss it from the spiritual level: What does China's space program teach about the past 40 years? What can we learn from the Shenzhou spirit?

In what ways can we appeal to future generations to uphold the spirit that can protect them from being swayed by some wrong values, such as materialism or the worship of money?

The Shenzhou spirit is a sharp contrast to some modern social problems such as fraud, corruption and twisted values.

Zheng Hao

Rapid economic development has provided a hotbed for the growth of some social problems including corruption, plagiarism, the blind pursuit of wealth and fame, and cheating others for the sake of a quick profit. Given this reality, the Shenzhou spirit needs to be publicized, so it can help clean up the polluted social environment for the young.