The 14 have had a relatively easy period since China sent its first man into orbit on board the Shenzhou V spacecraft in October, but beginning next month they will return to a tough training regimen, the Beijing Youth Daily said.

The physical and theoretical drills will be much the same as before, with the important difference that the candidates will work in pairs, as the Shenzhou VI is expected to carry two people, the paper said.

State media have previously reported China's next manned space flight is expected to take place some time in 2005.

Chances are that the 12 astronauts who lose out in the competition for a seat on the Shenzhou VI will never make it into space.

All astronauts in the 14-member team have passed the age of 30, and the search is on for a new generation that can man China's spacecraft from Shenzhou VII onwards, the paper said.

SPACE.WIRE