¡¡¡¡BEIJING, Oct. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- China's first manned spacecraft Shenzhou-5 has carried crop seeds from Taiwan into space, said a senior Chinese space official here Thursday.

¡¡¡¡"We did this because it is good for farmers on both sides of the Taiwan Straits," said Xie Mingbao, director of China Manned Space Engineering Office at a press conference here.

¡¡¡¡Xie said so far there was still no plan for space cooperation across the Taiwan Straits, but added, "We are willing to actively promote anything that will benefit Taiwan compatriots." Enditem