"Our goal is the peaceful exploitation of space," Yang told Claudie Haignere during the phone call watched by journalists, in one of his first comments to the international media since last week's flight.

Yang, a national hero after his 21-hour space mission, said "the exploitation of space's resources is a common cause for all humanity", in response to comments that France was interested in carrying out joint space experiments with China.

"In the near future, we expect to be able to carry out space-walks and dockings," added Yang, who was dressed in a blue flying suit with military shoes.

"China is ready to cooperate with other countries in the space field."

Yang, who has just been promoted to colonel at the age of 38, was speaking from the Millennium Monument, in the west of Beijing, where the Shenzhou V capsule is on display until the end of the month.

Haignere, who has been on two space missions departing from Russia in 1996 and 2001, noted that 16 European women had made journeys into space.

Yang said he was sure that China would also like to send women into space in the future.

SPACE.WIRE