China roundup September 22nd

• Source: Global Times
• [03:00 September 22 2009]
• Comments

Space station by 2020

China expects to have its own manned space station in 2020, Wang Yongzhi, chief designer of China's Manned Space Program, said on Monday.

"In the year 2020 or a bit later, we will have a space station permanently stationed with people. The station will be capable of carrying out tests," Wang said yesterday.

The manned space program composed of three steps. China is now in the second phase, which includes space walk, the launch of the target spacecraft Tiangong I, and two space laboratories, Tiangong II and Tiangong III.

Cabinet appoints three

The State Council, or cabinet, announced the appointment of three senior officials yesterday.

Cui Hairong was appointed deputy director of the National Bureau of Corruption Prevention, and He Jiacheng was appointed vice president of China's National School of Administration.

Wang Zuo'an was appointed director of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, replacing Ye Xiaowen.

Tremors in Lhasa

A strong earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale jolted Bhutan yesterday afternoon, the China Earthquake Networks Center said.

The tremor, with the epicenter at 27.3 degrees north latitude and 91.5 degrees east longitude, struck at 4:53 pm Beijing time, the center said.

Residents in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, felt the tremor.

No casualties or property losses were immediately reported in the Chinese territory.

Global Times/Xinhua