Chinese in space around 1973 ?

[Archibald]

Look at this link
http://www.astronautix.com/craft/shuuang1.htm

Never realised before that China was on the way f sending men into space in the mid-70's, 30 years before Shengzhu.
The vessel would have been rather similar to the Gemini, albeit smaller and lighter.
Now a bit of whatif...

Nixon heard of chinese plans and while meeting Mao in 1971 propose help just to piss of the Soviets. Around 1978 an improved Shunguang (mk.2?)  dock with Skylab or an Apollo CSM...

[Archibald]

Then another idea popped in my head. If China send men in space, Japan will try, too.
They just have to ask Douglas.
Mitsubishi already build douglas F-4 and F-15 under licence. But they also produce N-1, N-2 and H-1 rockets, in fact Delta rocket under licence. guess who build Delta ? Douglas.
Then there's Gemini spaceship... build by Douglas. Add bigger strapons (Japanese had some interesting solid-fuel rocket motors in the early 70's) to lift Gemini, et voila, a Gemini upgraded with japanese electronics...

[B777LR]

Funny you should mention it, i found this today:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_space_program