China's first astronaut Yang Liwei on board of Shenzhou V talked
to Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan at about 5:30 pm
Wednesday (Beijing time) via live communication systems.
With the live footage of Yang in his cockpit being shown on a
huge screen in the center, Cao, also member of the Political Bureau
of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee,
vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and state
councilor, sent warm regards to the spacefarer from the Beijing
Aerospace Command and Control Center.
"On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and
the Central Military Commission," Cao said, "I would like to send
my warmest regards to you and show my gratitude for your great
contribution to our nation's space mission."
Cao expressed his hope that Yang will fulfill the rest tasks
before the whole nation welcomes his glorious return.
From his spacecraft in outer space, Yang said hello to people
across the world. "I will strive to complete my tasks well and
ensure the full success of the mission," Yang said to Cao.
The live communication was carried out while the spaceship
orbited the earth for the sixth time.
During his flight, the astronaut kept close contact with the
command and control center and talked to other officers in the
center. Yang also slept in the capsule for about three hours.
China blasted off a powerful rocket carrying the nation's first
manned spacecraft, Shenzhou V, at 9:00 Wednesday in a remote launch
site in the northwestern province of Gansu. ?
(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2003)