China's second manned space mission is scheduled for liftoff in mid-October, the country's first man in space, Yang Liwei, said at a space exhibition in Nanjing on Saturday.

The two-man mission is expected to last five to seven days, Yang revealed in a meeting with military officers.

"I will not participate in this mission." Yang said, adding that he wanted to make way for more talented young astronauts.

On this October mission, astronauts will use Shenzhou VI's orbit capsule instead of the return capsule as Yang did on his 21-hour space trip two years ago aboard the Shenzhou V craft.

According to Yang, the journey on Shenzhou VI should be more comfortable. Hot food, sleeping bags and essential sanitary equipment will be available on the spacecraft. The two astronauts will be able to take turns sleeping.

Starting next year, China is to begin a major recruitment exercise for astronauts, including women.

Yang also said that China's training for astronauts is the most rigorous in the world.

(China Daily September 19, 2005)