Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.

NASA Administrator Says Visit to China Only a 'First Date'
----------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?r=279&ctl=141A180:A6F02AD83191E160E678E6EE802C1D2E9574F7DCC14957C0 Visit by Michael
Griffin, represents turning point in Washington's attitude toward
China's space program The United States and China have taken tentative
first steps toward cooperation on civilian space projects.







Mike Griffin The visit by Michael Griffin, the top official of the
U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, represents a
turning point in Washington's attitude toward China's space program.

The United States has been reluctant to cooperate with China's
secretive, military-based space efforts.

Griffin told reporters Monday that NASA is still unable to cooperate
with the military side of China's space efforts. But he said his visit
is a step toward lessening the distance between the two countries on
space cooperation.

Asked if he had gotten much access to the Chinese agency's operations,
Griffin said he did not.

But, he says, his expectations were limited from the start.

"This is a get-acquainted visit. This is an exploratory visit," he
explained. " This is a first date, if you will. We're just (on) an
exploratory visit."

Griffin said he and Chinese officials had agreed to hold discussions
at least once a year. The two sides are also looking at setting up a
working group to share information on earth science research, climate
studies, and scientific missions, among other things.



China has in recent years accelerated its space exploration efforts.
In 2003, it became the third nation after the former Soviet Union and
the United States to put a human in orbit. The second Chinese manned
space flight took place last October.


.