"This mission was an historic triumph for the Chinese people and a milestone in the continued exploration of space," Bush said in a formal letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao which the White House released after they met here.

"On behalf of the American people, I congratulate you and the Chinese people on the successful completion of China's first human space mission. I was pleased to learn that Lieutenant Colonel Yang Liwei returned safely to earth, he wrote.

"The United States of America warmly welcomes the People's Republic of China's achievement in becoming only the third country to launch an astronaut into space, and wishes you continued success in this endeavor," he said.

Bush, who came to office having branded China a "strategic competitor" of the United States, said in an interview released Saturday that he did not view Beijing's space program as a threat.

"No, it's an interesting development," he told Channel News Asia in an exchange taped earlier this week in Washington. "I don't necessarily see it as a threat."

"I think it's a country that's now beginning to emerge as a sophisticated country. And it's got great potential," said Bush. "I hope that they are able to make discoveries in space, like we did, the technology that will come out of that will help mankind."

Chinese Astronaut Yang Liwei safely landed in north China's Inner Mongolia Thursday, following a 21-hour flight during which he orbited the earth 14 times.

SPACE.WIRE