A senior space engineer said in Beijing Sunday that China's second manned space vessel will include experiments with direct human participation for the first time.

Wang Yongzhi, chief general designer of the Manned Spaceflight Program, said Shenzhou VI will enable astronauts to do scientific experiments in space, taking advantage of the unique vacuum, highly radiant and low gravity environment.

China became the third nation to conduct a manned space flight when it launched Shenzhou V in October 2003, carrying sole astronaut Yang Liwei, who did not leave his seat during his one-day flight around the earth 14 times.

The second manned mission is expected to be launched in a few days to come, carrying two astronauts for a five-day flight.

Wang said that following Shenzhou VI's flight, China has greater plans such as a space walk, docking a capsule with a space module, launch of a space lab and setting up a permanent space lab.

"Manned space flight, the most complicated and difficult aerospace project, demonstrates a nation's scientific research and economic strength," he said. "It's a major means to expand human living space and tap and use space resources."

"China will never be a superpower, but as the world's biggest developing country with 1.3 billion people, it should have a place in aerospace development and make due contributions."

(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2005)