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Chinese vice-Premier Li Keqiang announced the central government's decision to award Zhai Zhigang, the astronaut who performed the space walk, with the title of "Space Flight Hero" and the other two astronauts, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng with the title of "Heroic Astronaut".
Chinese President Hu Jintao presented the trio with medals and certificates to herald their excellent performance during the mission. Our reporter Zheng Chenguang takes a closer look.
Reporter:
Speaking at the award ceremony, Chinese President Hu Jintao congratulated the astronauts and scientists for the great achievements made during the Shenzhou VII manned space mission.
"The three astronauts' extra-vehicular activity and experiments in space are a great leap forward for China's space technology. The achievement has made China the third country in the world to master the technology of extra-vehicular activity in space. The Chinese astronauts' small step in space represents a big step ahead for the country in the road of scientific innovation."
Zhai Zhigang, who conducted the spacewalk, said completing the mission successfully was a dream and a huge honor for him and his teammates.
"When I was in space, I felt that my spacewalk was a small step for me, but a giant step for China as a whole. Now, we Chinese people have left our footprints in space."
President Hu Jintao called on scientists across the country to keep the momentum going and continue working hard to boost China's space exploration. (WWw.hxen.com)
The president added that China still has to strive to catch up with countries with more advanced space exploration programs. He stressed China is committed to cooperating with other countries in the sector of space exploration.
"The Chinese people are willing to join hands with people around the world. We will stick to the principle of peaceful exploration of space and actively participate in international cooperation. We are determined to make new contributions to peace and the development of mankind through space exploration."
The Shenzhou VII spacecraft was launched into space at the end of September where three astronauts carried out China's first ever spacewalk.
Zheng Chenguang, CRI news.