After the Soviet Union flew the Sputnik 1 satellite in 1957, US President Dwight Eisenhower established NASA. There was some question at the time as to whether the US space agency would be militaristic in nature or civil, promoting the peaceful use of space for exploration and science. Eisenhower made clear his preference for the latter, and this proved a wise decision, as NASA has projected US soft power through achievement and apolitical cooperation ever since.

China's space program, on the other hand, is not as independent from the Communist Party of China or the country's military programs. This association has led some members of Congress to forbid NASA from working directly with the Chinese space agency, due to concerns about technology theft and other potential problems.

That being said, the degree to which some taikonauts express their fidelity to the Communist party is still striking. During the 19th National Congress of the CPC this weekend, three-time taikonaut Jing Haipeng expressed his desire to fly in space for a fourth time. "I'm eager to go to space again, be a pioneer in the battle one more time," the 51-year-old major-general said, according to Xinhua.

Then, the taikonaut lobbied for the additional flight by expressing his enthusiasm for communism. "Let the vastness of space witness again the absolute loyalty of a revolutionary soldier, a CPC member, and a space warrior," Jing said. "There are words from the bottom of my heart: Never forget it is the training of the Party and the country which enables me to fly higher and higher."

Xinhua, the state news organization, reported that a branch of the CPC can be established when there are three or more people together. Apparently, the Chinese taikonauts plan to establish such a branch on the country's space station, which could begin operations in about five years and house up to six astronauts. As of now there are plans for European astronauts to visit the Chinese station but not NASA astronauts.