P. B. KAMENNOV Candidate of Political Sciences Institute of the Far East of the Russian Academy of Sciences China's space program Keywords:, space industry, artificial Earth satellites, manned flights, satellite support system, space centers, military aspects, international cooperation in the field of space In China's national strategy, which aims to become one of the leading innovative powers by 2020, a special place is occupied by the space program, which is assigned an important role in strengthening the country's economic, scientific and technical potential, defense capability, and as a factor contributing to the cohesion of the Chinese nation. The origin of the Chinese space program and the first steps in its implementation are associated with the name of the outstanding Chinese scientist Qian Xuesen, who received an education and worked for many years (until 1955) in the United States in the field of jet engines, aerodynamics, liquid and solid-fuel rockets. Qian Xuesen was also the author of the concepts of the nuclear aircraft engine, manned space flight, and the ultra-high-speed passenger airliner 1. Qian Xuesen was a strong advocate of China's ability to catch up with the West in technology. After returning to China, he achieved priority attention to the creation of the nuclear, rocket and space industries, and in the following two decades led the work on the creation of new technology, including space (launch vehicles, artificial earth satellites ,communication and telemetry systems, ground-based space infrastructure). Qian Xuesen was also credited with training a whole generation of talented Chinese scientists who are committed to the future. Extensive scientific and technical cooperation with the Soviet Union was of great importance for the development of the Chinese space industry. The development of rocket technologies received from the Soviet Union in 1957-1962 in accordance with the Soviet-Chinese cooperation agreements2 allowed China to succeed in l ... Read more