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)