Long Lehao: Patriotism key to Chinese space spirit

A team of scientists from major national space projects arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday (June 22) for a five-day visit and exchange activities. Long Lehao, chief designer of the Long March rocket series, gave a lecture today (June 24) at the University of Hong Kong on the theme of "Long March Rockets and Chinese Space Program." According to Long, the key to China's space achievements is the unique Chinese space spirit.

Long stressed that patriotism is the essence of the Chinese space spirit. "Without the Communist Party, China wouldn't emerge as a world power in this new era, and I would not become who I am today," he said. Long said that he himself is a typical example of how knowledge changes one's fate.

Long Lehao said that the Chinese space program has developed from scratch in the midst of the U.S. blockade. "The U.S. has been trying to hold us back, but they can never succeed, and we are doing very well with our carrier rocket technology," he said proudly.

Long Lehao recalled that in October 1985, Long March rocket made its debut on the international satellite stage, and on April 7, 1990, China launched AsiaSat 1, breaking the monopoly of the United States and Europe, with 71 launches and 83 satellites sent into orbit, providing satellite communication services to 21 countries and regions.

According to Long, the success rate of the launch of Long March series rockets is over 96%, ranking the first in the world.