China's Space Duo Become 'Hero Taikonauts'

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A billboard featuring Chinese astronauts Fei Junlongm (L) and Nie Haisheng outside the Hong Kong stadium, 27 November 2005. The two astronauts of China's second manned space flight touched down in Hong Kong for a visit aimed at boosting Chinese nationalism amid a brewing constitutional row in the former British colony. AFP photo by Philippe Lopez.

Beijing (AFP) Nov 26, 2005
China Saturday bestowed the title "hero taikonaut" on two astronauts who spent five days in space last month in the nation's second foray into space on board the Shenzhou VI craft.

Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, whose job title is "taikonaut" after the Chinese word for "space," received the honor in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The successful manned mission of Shenzhou VI has displayed the great creative spirit and excellent innovative capability of the Chinese nation," said Premier Wen Jiabao.

Fei and Nie spent 115 hours and 32 minutes in orbit last month, traveling a lengthy 3.25 million kilometers (two million miles) through space.

The duo will arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday for a three-day visit in the Chinese territory before heading to the neighboring city of Macau.

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