SPACE WIRE
Space pioneer Yang Liwei back with a vengeance in Chinese media
BEIJING (AFP) Nov 08, 2003
Space coverage was back with a vengeance in Chinese media Saturday, as top leaders hailed the country's first astronaut with a curious mix of strident patriotism and reassurances of peaceful intentions.

The entire frontpage of the People's Daily was devoted to Yang Liwei, who circled around the earth 14 times last month, and his elevation to the status of "Space Hero" at a ceremony in Beijing Friday.

"The successful space mission has... demonstrated the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese people, which will help position the country among the world's strongest nations," President Hu Jintao was quoted as saying at the ceremony.

"China will work with the international community for the peaceful use of outer space," he said.

The frontpages of several mass-circulation dailies also showed Yang alongside a smiling Jiang Zemin, China's former president.

Jiang remains commander-in-chief of the armed forces and is believed to still wield considerable influence behind the scenes.

He gave the impetus to China's manned space program a decade ago, and some observers think he is probably keen to reap maximum kudos for Yang's mission.

Yang, a fighter pilot, received the "Space Hero" label after a five-day trip to Hong Kong, where he was treated like a rock star.

China is expected to launch its next manned mission within two years with the priority being a space walk and eventually set up its own space station, space officials have said.

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