A photography exhibition commemorating the 45th anniversary of the first manned space flight by the former Soviet cosmonaut Yuriy Gagarin opened in Beijing Wednesday.

"He is a hero who deserves international respect," said 70-year-old Li Duoli, a visitor to the show.

The event, in Chaoyang Park, is sponsored by the Russian Embassy and two other organizations.

Pictures of Gagarin stepping out of the spacecraft, excited spectators, Gagarin in training and giving lectures, and other space exploration efforts feature in the show.

Li said Gagarin had inspired the Chinese people to realize their dreams of space flight. In 1961, the year of the flight, China successfully test-fired its first rocket.

Now China has joined the league of countries that have undertaken manned space flights. Worldwide, more than 400 astronauts have journeyed into space.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2006)