The Chinese government has, in all, allocated 18 billion yuan
(about US$2.2 billion) to its manned space program by the time of
successful return of the Shenzhou V?space vehicle Thursday
morning, according to a press release Thursday.
The fund was mainly used for scientific research, manufacturing
of equipment and instruments, the construction of essential
facilities for research and tests, and consequently a system
complete with all necessary departments of research, production and
test related to manned spaceflight was established.
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)