The re-entry module of China's unmanned spaceship, Shenzhou IV, was opened Wednesday in Beijing and scientists were happy to find that all instruments and materials on board were undamaged.

The module carried seeds or samples of rise, wheat, cotton, corn, beans, vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers, according to the scientists.

Biological experiments on board the craft would play an important role in promoting the peaceful development of space, they said.

The re-entry module was transported to Beijing Monday after the spaceship returned to the earth in central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, northern China, on schedule on January 5.

China launched Shenzhou IV on December 30 last year as part of its ongoing manned space program.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2003)