China has commended 100 people for their eminent contributions to its manned space program, which sent two Chinese astronauts into space last October and made the country the third nation capable of doing so on its own, officials said Thursday.

Jin Zhuanglong, spokesperson for the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense, said that the Ministry of Personnel announced the namelist of those cited Wednesday at a national work conference held by the commission.

Without providing the name list, Jin said those commended are those who have contributed tremendously to research and development, manufacturing, testing projects for the program, and those working for the program as managerial personnel or security guards during the past two years.

The successful flight and return of Shenzhou VI spacecraft last October carrying two Chinese astronauts on a five-day mission represent a landmark victory for China in its development of manned space technology, and helped increase the country's international competitiveness and comprehensive nation strength, the spokesperson noted.

The space mission followed China's first successful manned space flight in October 2003 that sent the country's first astronaut Yang Liwei on a 21 hour space trip.

China plans to set up a man-tended space station for the peaceful use of space resources in the coming decades.

(Xinhua News Agency January 6, 2006)