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China's Second Manned Space Flight
desert island writes "As if to coincide with Russia's space tourist, Beijing News speculated that China's second manned space launch will occur after the October 1-7 holiday. The spacecraft Shenzhou VI, with two astronauts, will be launched from the Jiuquan Space Launch Center in northwest China's Gansu province and will last 119 hours." From the article: "The mission will differ markedly from China's first manned space voyage, the Shenzhou V, which was a solo flight that lasted 21 hours in October 2003. China's space program is still shrouded in secrecy with little known about events until several days before they happen. However since the success of the first manned flight, authorities have shown a little more transparency."
You can find more information in this Wikipedia article. Apparently the general time of the launch has been known for a while, because at the moment the article states a September or October launch (and a different Wikipedia article on the rockets themselves specifically states an October launch).
By the way, it looks as though it is shaping up to be a very interesting flight
The crew will change out of their new lighter space suits, conduct scientific experiments, and enter the orbital module. In addition, their menu will be expanded from 30 to 50 courses. A new toilet will also be available.
WARNING: If accidentally read, induce vomiting.
The thing about working in a centralised system is that they can seriously get their act together and do things. The western world is ripe with examples of what happens when you work in a free market and have to find a consesus, ideally through competing in the said market.
Look at the old Soviet Union; yes, they were governed by spectacularly stupid men, but bigods they could get their act together and DO things on a huge scale. And the Chinese can too, plus they are seriously clever. If they want to go to the Moon or Mars and establish a colony, then that is what they will, I'm sure. And they will probably get there before Bush & Co. can get their brains into first gear.