In 2003, China launched its first manned spaceflight. Since then, nothing. My father wrote a pretty good space novel back in the 60s called The Third Seat, about China insisting on having a place alongside the Russians and the Americans in space. I only dimly remember reading it, but maybe it's time for him to polish it off and try again...
What with the ability to realistically self-publish these days (I'm partial to Booksurge, myself), it's worth doing, even if just to have the damn thing on your shelf with your name on it.