UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday warmly congratulated the successful completion of China's first manned space flight.

In his statement issued at the UN headquarters in New York, the UN chief also extended his warm congratulations to Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut sent into the orbit by China's Shenzhou V space mission.

He wished that the "historic mission" will usher in a new era of international cooperation in the exploration and peaceful use of outer space.

Annan said the world body "is pleased to announce that... two United Nations flags were provided for flight on China's first manned space mission, as a symbol of its firm commitment to use outer space for peaceful purposes and for the betterment of all humankind."

A small UN flag was shown on camera during the mission and a larger flag was stowed aboard the spacecraft prior to launch. Both flags, having completed 14 orbits around the Earth, will be returned to the UN chief at a future event, according to the statement.

Before the space ship returned safely to the Earth, Annan said Wednesday in an earlier statement that the Shenzhou V "is a step forward for all humankind," and wished a safe and successful completion of China's "maiden voyage."

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2003)