CLOSE-UP: China releases the first image of the Moon's surface on November 26, 2007 (XINHUA)

As the only natural satellite of the Earth, the Moon has preserved a great variety of records of geological activity from 4.6 billion years to 3.1 billion years ago on its surface, which will be of great significance for human beings in learning about the origins and evolution of the Earth, the solar system and even the whole universe.

The Moon is also rich in energy and mineral resources. After processing the data acquired by gamma-ray spectrometer equipment in Chang'e 1, scientists have mapped the distribution and extent of uranium, thorium and potassium on the Moon, as well as regional distribution and content of magnesium, aluminum, silicon, iron and titanium.

DOCUMENTARIES

World Expo Documentary

By WANG FEIZHOU

A five-part documentary Expo's Meaning, Shanghai's Mission will air on China Central Television (CCTV)'s news channel during prime time on August 10-14, representing a major step for the channel toward international co-production.

With a commitment to enlisting the best overseas talent and resources, CCTV news channel invited Robert Lawrence Kuhn, author of a biography of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin, to host the documentary on the World Expo in Shanghai. Kuhn, a well-known non-fiction writer, has also established himself as a television presenter and China expert, through such projects as Closer to Truth and In Search of China.

Expo's Meaning, Shanghai's Mission is the first cooperation between CCTV and the Kuhn Foundation. "By working with overseas television producers, we can learn about international approaches to TV production," said Fan Yun, Director of CCTV's Department of Foreign Language Services.

The documentary was filmed in April and May this year by American director Peter Getzels, working with a CCTV crew. Kuhn, known for his diverse experience in studying and commenting on current affairs in China as well as for exploring and unraveling the complexities of various issues, toured the Expo site, interviewing organizers and key figures.

In the documentary, Kuhn says the Expo intertwines two main topics: global demand for livable cities together with enabling green technologies, and China's historic rise. "I am not making claims on behalf of anybody. I am merely stating the obvious," he said.

Although the documentary was filmed mostly inside Expo sites, it touches on various areas such as China's value in the world's eyes, Shanghai's history, the future of man, and true stories from and about China.

The documentary also includes an exclusive interview with Yu Zhengsheng, Secretary of the Shanghai Committee of the Communist Party of China. "Shanghai is the largest city in China. The World Expo in Shanghai will help us reach a consensus on how Shanghai should develop in the future," he said.