For example, he says, of the first batch of 14 astronauts, all of them qualified to go into space. This compares with the international average of a 40 percent dropout rate.

"The missions we undertake are perhaps less complex," he adds, "although they are all ground-breaking."

Yang says China is currently advancing its manned space program in three steps: First, send astronauts into space and ensure their safe return; second, develop a space laboratory; third, establish a permanent manned space station.

China plans to launch two unmanned space capsules in 2011, Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8, which are expected to accomplish the country's first space docking.

The manned Shenzhou IX and Shenzhou X spacecrafts are scheduled to be launched in 2012 to dock with Tiangong 1 and Shenzhou 8.

A space laboratory is expected to be developed and launched before 2016. Construction of a manned space station is to be completed around 2020.

Yang says he is still in the prime of life for an astronaut and he dreams of another spaceflight, given the fact that one Russian cosmonaut has carried out six space missions, and an American astronaut made history in 1998 by flying when he was 77 years old.

"I hope my fellow astronauts and I can fly again in a few years," he says. "And I hope I don't have to wait until I'm 77 to break the record."

(China Daily 01/24/2011 page22)