Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao early Wednesday had a brief meeting
with the two Chinese astronauts who were going to board Shenzhou
VI, the country's second manned spacecraft, and he wished them
success in their mission.
"I'm here to see you off with enormous warmth, on behalf of the
(Communist) Party Central Committee, the State Council and the
Central Military Commission as well as General Secretary Hu
Jintao," Wen told Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng before they boarded
the space vessel.
The premier said he believes "the astronauts will accomplish the
glorious and sacred mission."
Two years ago, the Shenzhou V?spacecraft, independently
developed by China, carried Chinese hero astronaut Yang Liwei into
the Earth's orbit, marking the realization of Chinese dream since
ancient times of entering space, Wen said.
"Piloting the Shenzhou VI?spaceship, you will once again
show to the world that the Chinese people have the will, confidence
and capability to mount new scientific peaks ceaselessly," he
said.
The premier said he hopes the astronauts will recreate China's
space program miracle "with resolute confidence, sober mind,
fortitude and courage," and all the people of China "expect their
victorious return from the mission."
(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2005)