Within just a few years, rocks and soil from Mars could land on Earth.
The moon could bear the footprints of Chinese astronauts.
And a vast web of satellites could make rescue missions faster and more precise here at home.
What used to be in science fiction is now part of China's space roadmap.
How close are these ambitions to reality?
And what could they mean for you and me?
Hello and welcome to the panel discussion of World Today.
I'm Do Hongyu in Beijing.
In its base plans for the next five years, China says it'll turn aerospace
from a symbol of national strength into a pillar industry that improves lives and promotes industrial development.
One of the central goals is to turn space activities from customized,
expensive projects into a market-oriented industry capable of mass production.
The blueprint also emphasizes the building of a large satellite internet constellation expected
to support emergency response and connectivity in remote regions.
Deep space exploration remains a key frontier for China's space ambitions.
Building on previous lunar and Mars missions, the new plan calls for expanded exploration efforts deeper into space.
To delve into these goals, we are joined by Professor Quentin Parker,
Director of Laboratory for Space Research, University of Hong Kong, Associate Professor of Astronomy Zhang Fan with Beijing Normal University,
and Dr. Zhou Mi, Senior Research Fellow with Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.
Welcome to the show, gentlemen.