CRI听力：China Publishes First Moon Picture

China has celebrated the arrival of its first moon image sent from the country's first lunar satellite, Chang'e 1.

Officials say the picture of the moon showcases the power of the nation and its people, thrusting the country into the forefront of global technological powers.

CRI reporter Chen Xi has the details.

What you are hearing are the greetings and songs being transmitted from China's first lunar probe, located 380 thousand kilometers away from theEarth.

The whole nation is as cheerful as Premier Wen Jiabao, who visited the scientists and announced the mission a success.

"The success of the lunar probe project signifies that China has joined the world's few powers that have the capability to engage in deep-space exploration. This is mainly attributable to the great improvement of our overall national strength, self innovation and scientific level."

He says the full success of the country's first lunar exploration mission is helping to turn the nation's dream of reaching the moon into reality, adding that the lunar probe is the third milestone in China's space exploration, following the success of man-made satellites and manned space flights.

The black-and-white photo shows a rough moon surface with scattered round craters of different sizes. The area covered by the picture, about 460 km in length and 280km in width, is within a location 70 to 54 degrees south latitude and 83 to 57 degrees east longitude.

Head of the National Space Administration, Sun Laiyan, has further elaborated upon the purpose of China's lunar project.

"Our lunar probe is a scientific project with a peaceful purpose. Given its feature of openness, China hopes to conduct wider and deeper exploration of outer space along with our international counterparts based upon mutual benefits."

Chang'e 1, named after a legendary Chinese goddess who flew to the moon, blasted off attached to a Long March 3A carrier rocket one month ago.

Chen Xi, CRI News