Following are some quotable quotes regarding the successful launch
of
China's first
manned space flight Wednesday morning:
"The successful launch of Shenzhou V is the glory of our
great motherland."
-- Chinese President Hu Jintao, after the launch was declared a
success.
"As our country's valiant pioneer in space exploration, you
shoulder the great expectations of the motherland and the people to
realize a dream we have cherished for thousands of years. We look
forward to your triumphant return."
-- Chinese President Hu Jintao, at a meeting with China's first
astronaut Yang Liwei prior to the launch.
"I will live up to the expectations of the motherland and the
people, and will try my best to make every part of the mission
successful."
-- Yang Liwei, 38, the first Chinese astronaut in space, before
he entered the spacecraft.
"I feel good."
-- Yang Liwei, in his first report from the space 34 minutes
after the launch.
"The long-cherished space dream of the Chinese nation has
finally come true."
-- Hu Shixiang, deputy director-general of China's manned space
flight program.
"While sharing the joy and excitement of all Chinese across the
world, the Hong Kong people today can have a better understanding
of the saying that 'Hong Kong benefits from every progress the
motherland has made'."
--an editorial published on Wednesday's Wen Wei Po, a
leading newspaper in Hong Kong.
(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2003)
