Peace underpins China's space endeavors

Shenzhou XI, China's sixth manned spacecraft, docked with space lab Tiangong II on Wednesday, bringing the nation's planned space station one step closer to reality.

Although China's efforts to become a space power are being made in the spirit of peace, coverage by Western media of the successful launch of Shenzhou XI on Monday alluded to China's space program having a military background.

Mentions of China's commitment to international cooperation and sharing lessons from its manned space program with other countries, especially developing countries, were absent in much of the coverage, which instead focused on the mission's supposed military elements.