HONG KONG: China today [April 25] announced she had successfully launched her first earth satellite — thus joining the space club. The satellite whirled around the earth every 114 minutes, broadcasting the Maoist revolutionary song “The East Is Red”. The launching of the 380 pound satellite indicated that China might have now achieved the capability of building intercontinental ballistic missiles. …

An official communique said: “Our great leader Chairman Mao has stated: We should produce man-made satellites. In the midst of the triumphant march of the people throughout the country to hail the great 1970s, we are happy to announce this great call issued by Chairman Mao has come true. … The successful launching of the satellite marks a good beginning in the development of China’s space technology.”

It added that one of the key factors that ensured success was implementation of the Peking appeal to grasp Revolution, boom production and prepare for war. For months now the Chinese people have been told that war is imminent. ...

On the centenary of Lenin’s birth earlier this week, China accused the Soviet Union of nuclear blackmail and rocket-rattling, indicating that their border dispute is far from settled despite six month old talks in Peking.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2020