Work on a new space base commenced on Tuesday at the Shenzhuang Industrial Zone in Shanghai, China. The base will be completed in five years time. The base, involving an investment of 1.3 billion yuan (300 million pounds), will become an important space centre for the research, testing and production of carrier rockets, manned space craft, satellite aerial defence weaponry. Five specialized research institutes will be established at the base, which will cover 74 hectares.
