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China astronaut on charm offensive
From CNN's Andrew Brown
HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Just two weeks after he was blasted into history, China's first man in space has been assigned a new mission: Trying to lift the spirit of Hong Kong people. Yang Liwei is on a six-day morale-boosting trip to this former British colony where the economy is weak and opinion polls show government officials are deeply unpopular. Although some flag wavers told CNN they were ordered by the government to support the Yang visit, there have been spontaneous celebrations as well. And an exhibition about Yang's journey into space is packed out. As many as 85,000 people are expected to attend over the course of four days. He was described as "brave, humble and handsome" by some of those that CNN spoke to. But China is showcasing much more than a poster boy here. This is a chance for Hong Kong people to see up-close the technology China tailor-made for Yang and the other Chinese astronauts who will follow him into space. The country's scientists worked for 10 years to develop the suit which they claim is more flexible than the suits worn by U.S. and Russian astronauts. And the team behind Yang's Shenzhou 5 space capsule is proud of other innovations. Even the food on board was adapted to Chinese tastes. (Full story) Yang Liwei munched away on this traditional Chinese delicacy when he was in space. Appropriately enough, it is known as mooncake. And while China is still long way from becoming a major power in space, some analysts say Yang could still be an inspirational force, especially in Hong Kong where lately the mood has been so downbeat. Michael Degolyer, of Baptist University, said: "I think Hong Kong people are looking for heroes. They need heroes." And they will probably get them. More Chinese space missions are planned and by the time the children attending this exhibition are grown up, who knows, China may well have put a man on the moon.
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