Let's Play Politics

> Given their very low flight rate, I
> wouldn't see the Chinese coming to an Apollo level anytime soon. They don't necessarily have to. They could purchase the launch capabilty from
others. Although their hardware borrows much conceptually from the Russian Soyuz, the Chinese take great pride in the fact that this is Chinese-manufactured hardware. I've heard it argued that the main reason the Chinese want a manned space program is because they feel it gives them more technological prestige, and that this has a direct effect on world markets seeing China as a viable source of high-tech goods. In other words, their space program helps their bottom line.
I think too many people are seeing what they want to see: China vitally interested in the inhabitation and economic development of the moon for its own sake. The reality may be that even if the Chinese are serious about their stated interest in the moon, their interest in going there may be no different from America's in the 60's.Stated simply:to prove that they can (to impress upon the world their state of technological capability). We had an interest in that more for political reasons, while the Chinese today might well have more economic reasons. But either way, there'd be little difference in the long-term outcome. That's to say: We haveflags and footprints, we'veproved that we can, so why continue?