Overseas Chinese in Germany are proud of the successful Shenzhou-7 space mission, members of the community told Xinhua Monday at a party held by the Chinese embassy here to celebrate the country's National Day, which falls on Oct. 1.

"Chinese feel extremely proud in 2008. After fighting the earthquake in Sichuan province, China successfully hosted the Olympic Games," said Cui Naisheng, the head of the federation of overseas Chinese in Germany.

"The successful launch of Shenzhou-7 makes overseas Chinese feel proud and indicates that China has entered an advanced level in global space technology," he added.

Li Quanfu, the president of the federation of overseas Chinese business people in Germany, said it was a big step forward for Chinese taikonauts to carry out the spacewalk in Chinese-made spacesuits, which marks China's entry into the elite club of world space technology.

"Shenzhou-7 and the three astronauts aboard it made overseas Chinese feel proud and excited. We hope that Chinese space technology will reach a more advanced world level, because diplomatic ties are based on the economy and scientific and technological research ability," he added.

Taiwan's Xiao Wangxiaorong said she watched the live broadcast of the spacewalk in the Wangfujing Street during her recent trip to Beijing. She was very moved while seeing Zhai Zhigang waving the Chinese national flag in space. "I'm excited that China is becoming strong and powerful," she said.

"The moment when the astronaut waved the Chinese national flag made all the Chinese feel proud. It is a great achievement. Although China was hit by the earthquake, the success of the Beijing Olympics and the launch of Shenzhou-7 have reaffirmed China's status in the world community," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2008)