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US hails China's 2nd manned space mission
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-10-13 07:53
The United States congratulated China on launching its second manned space
mission and welcomed any effort to make peaceful use of space.
"We obviously congratulate China on the successful
launch of its second manned space mission," Deputy State Department spokesman
Adam Ereli said.
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![China's second manned spacecraft Shenzhou VI blasts off into the sky Wednesday morning October 12, 2005. The craft, carrying astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, is expected to orbit the Earth for five days. [Xinhua]](xin_101002121021545105686.jpg)
China's second
manned spacecraft Shenzhou VI blasts off into the sky Wednesday morning
October 12, 2005. The craft, carrying astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie
Haisheng, is expected to orbit the Earth for five days.
[Xinhua]
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"Furthermore we would applaud China and its success as only the third country
to launch people into space.
"Our view is that the peaceful use of space is something that is appropriate
and we welcome China's developments in this area."
Separately, the head of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
also hailed China's launch of its second manned space mission, saying it
reaffirmed the country's place among the space "elite".
"China, once again, has demonstrated that it is among the elite number of
countries capable of human space flight," NASA Administrator Michael Griffin
said in a brief statement.
"We wish them well on their mission, and we look forward to the safe return
of their astronauts."
China launched the spacecraft, Shenzhou VI, with two astronauts aboard, from
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 9:00 am (0100 GMT) Wednesday for a five-day
mission.
The flight came just two years after the country's first manned space flight
which carried one astronaut.
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