Red China wants to go to the moon before this decade is out, and then on to Mars. An ambitious effort to be sure, and it underscores America's lack of focus on true exploration. It's time the US seriously considered returning Americans to the moon after a 31 year absence. The Apollo program brought out the best in America and showed that some government programs can be wildly successful. It is how the 60s should be remembered. But now, China thinks they can boost their economy and their miliary capabilities by heading skyward, and they can.
"Space technology does not belong to the rich countries alone," said Zhang Houying, a scientific director of the Shenzhou program. "In science there is only a No. 1, no No. 2. We'd like to lead in contributing to mankind."
They could start by freeing their people from the oppression of Maoism.
