Chinese astronaut says "I feel proud of my motherland": CCTV

BEIJING (AFP) Oct 16, 2003
China's first astronaut Yang Liwei said he felt proud of his country in his first words after successfully landing in Inner Mongolia Thursday following a 21-hour space flight, state television said.

"I feel proud of my motherland," Yang said right before boarding a helicopter on his way to the Chinese capital Beijing, an anchor from the state-run China Central Television station quoted him as saying.

"The spacecraft operated normally. I felt very good," Yang added.

The re-entry capsule carrying Yang touched down at 6:23 amWednesday) in the vast grasslands of Inner Mongolia around the Siziwang area some 300 kilometres (186 miles) northwest of the capital Beijing.

He was declared in good health and underwent a brief medical checkup before boarding the helicopter at 7:40 am (2340 GMT Wednesday).

SPACE.WIRE