I'm not quite sure but shouldn't it be 神舟5 instead of 神州5? (Axel)

I think the Chinese term should be in the article whether we use the english astronaut or the pseudo-english taikonaut. Saying that it looks ugly doesn't seem to me to be a good reason to remove the correct Chinese term. Ark30inf 03:56, 15 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Time will tell what the preferred term for a Chinese astronaut is in English - my money's on "astronaut". There's no special reason to include a Chinese translation of "astronaut" on this page (any more than there is a reason to include a Chinese translation of the word "rocket" for example). rlandmann

We should probably take our lead from China's official news sources -- both Xinhua and China Daily use "Chinese astronaut" so we should stick to that. Fuzheado 05:52, 15 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Agree. "Taikonaut" is not a Chinese term, it is an english term invented by English news media. It is originated from "Taikongren", a nonofficial Chinese term which I believe is used mainly in Hong Kong. Wshun

Yup, it's interesting that only Western media outlets have been using that term. Fuzheado 06:39, 15 Oct 2003 (UTC)

"China the third country to put a person in space," <- this needs to be made clearer. People of other countries have been in space; but that sentence makes it sound like it isn't so. -- Tarquin 08:50, 15 Oct 2003 (UTC)

I don't think this contributes much to the article:

"The Party and the people will never forget those who have set up this outstanding merit in the space industry for the motherland,the people and the nation," said Hu, who also expressed congratulations and respect to specialists and people who have contributed to China's space mission development on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission its chairman Jiang Zemin.

Add it back if you object. It just sounded too much like the People's Daily. --Jiang 03:28, 16 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Yes, and President Bush is quoted in the US media. What's your point? BTW, this statement by Hu concerning the CMC chairman is worth noting due to the endless speculation over Jiang's role after the 16th Party Congress. China-watchers scrupulously analyze all official statements, on the lookout for clues illuminating whether Jiang's influence is waning or enduring. Whether and/or to what extent the current CMC chief and ex-president was lauded after a moment contributing to a great deal of patriotic fervor is something that China specialists worldwide are studying and analyzing right now. The launch not only has strong geo-strategic implications, but also noteworthy - but not earth-shattering - implications for domestic politics as well. 172 17:42, 16 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Where is the specific quote where he speaks "on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission its chairman Jiang Zemin", if that's what's important? --Jiang

Seen in that context, the statement is rather important, but probably should be summarized with the context rather than quoted. Something that seems pretty clear to me (and a lot of other China-watchers) is that Hu's speaking on behalf of Jiang is actually a sign that Jiang's influence is significantly waning, in that Hu was speaking for Jiang rather than having Jiang deliver the message himself. That isn't obvious from a direct quote. --Roadrunner

Not sure why this was here, since I don't know of anyone who suggested that the launch was a hoax.

Although news reports of the launch were strictly controlled by the PRC government, and a live broadcast of the launch apparently canceled, the launch was congratulated by NASA, which implied that NASA also confirmed the launch.

---User:Roadrunner

The last pic makes the width in Opera too wide. Anyone could help? --ILovEJPPitoC 17:04, 16 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Yeah, it's too wide on Mozilla too. Why is the right-margin:15? I guess the author wanted to match up the left margin with the above photograph, but the page has become too wide in the process. -- Tlotoxl 17:07, 16 Oct 2003 (UTC)

Moved the caption about the Politburo Standing Committee members normally being seen in formal occasions. The PSCSC rarely is seen collectively, and when they are now, its often in informal or semi-formal occasions. (i.e. NPC meetings) -- User:Roadrunner