China says farewell to "father of space technology"

A farewell ceremony for the father of space technology in China, Qian Xuesen, was held in Beijing today.

The 98 year old Qian passed away on October 31st. Chinese President Hu Jintao, former President Jiang Zemin, NPC Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and other senior officials attended the ceremony. Qian Xuesen helped pioneer China's space science. He went to the US in 1935 to study and returned home in 1955. He was a member of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

Qian was a renowned expert in rockets and aerodynamics. He spearheaded the research and development leading up to China's first test of the atom bomb in 1964. Other firsts for the country include a man-made satellite in 1970, a transcontinental ballistic missile in 1980 and a manned spacecraft in 2003. For these accomplishments, Qian Xuesen was named a national living treasure. He retired in 1991 but continued his studies and work.

Watch Video: Qian Xuesen cremated in Beijing

BEIJING, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- A farewell ceremony for late Chinese space scientist Qian Xuesen was held here Friday morning at the Beijing Babaoshan Cemetery.

Hu Jintao, Jiang Zemin, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang attended the ceremony.

Qian, widely acclaimed as the country's "father of space technology" , died of illness here on Oct. 31 at the age of 98.

Slideshow: China says farewell to Qian Xuesen, father of space technology