United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Wednesday
extended his warm congratulations to China on its successful launch
of a manned spacecraft.
"The secretary-general extends his warm congratulations to the
People's Republic of China on its first (manned) mission into
space, and hopes for the safe and successful completion of this
maiden voyage," UN spokesman Fred Eckhard, on behalf of Annan, read
a statement at the noon briefing on Wednesday.
"He notes that as the exploration of space knows no national
borders, the mission of the Shenzhou V is a step forward for all
humankind," said the statement.
(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2003)
