THE city of Wenchang in southern China’s island province of Hainan, known for its spacecraft launch center, is endeavoring to turn itself into a new engine of China’s commercial aerospace. The small city boasts the only coastal launch center in China, namely the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site, which is also the fourth launch center of the country, following the nation’s three others in Jiuquan, Xichang and Taiyuan. Since its maiden rocket launch in 2016, the Wenchang launch center has handled a number of launch missions, including the launches of the Long March-7 and Long March-5 rockets. It also witnessed the launch of China’s first Mars mission “Tianwen-1” and Chang’e-5 probe. On the basis of the launch site, the Wenchang International Aerospace City was officially unveiled in June 2020 and listed as one of the 11 key industrial parks under the Hainan free trade port. So far, more than 30 key organizations and institutes have settled down in the park, including the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology and Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said Han Yong, director of the industrial park’s administration. Over the past year or so, the industrial park has seen accelerated progress, with improved infrastructure and commercial aerospace industry development. Considering it the new engine of commercial aerospace development, Han also noted that over 350 firms involving aerospace supercomputing and satellite application have entered the industrial park. (Xinhua) | 