Nation's pride in achievement tempered by tainted milk crisis
Mainland residents and netizens have applauded China's first spacewalk but have also urged central authorities to strive to resolve the tainted milk crisis.
The spacewalk was broadcast live on television across the nation yesterday afternoon and hundreds of thousands of students in schools and even kindergartens watched the historic moment.
'We should remember this moment,' one Shenzhen elementary school teacher told her Grade 4 students.
'The spacewalk shows the world the strong power, high science and technology of our great country. We should be proud.'
One student said: 'I was very excited and proud as I watched the astronaut step out. Many of my classmates, especially boys, want to be an astronaut when they grow up. I think it would be a very good job, since my parents, teachers and friends look to Shenzhou VII and think it is very important for us.'
Retired engineer Kou Zuomin, 74, watched the spacewalk at his Tianjin home and said he was overwhelmed with excitement and pride.
'It is the dream of several Chinese generations,' Mr Kou said.
'Chairman Mao planned the spacecraft since the 1970s. Now the dream has come true. I'm so happy to see China become one of the best in this field because the manned space programme reflects high-level science and technological research in a country.'
Thousands of netizens also discussed the spacewalk in chat rooms throughout the day yesterday, touching on what the astronaut should say and what he should show when first emerging in space. The national flag and milk powder were hot choices.
'The national flag shows our pride. Milk powder shows our concerns and resolution to solve the tainted-milk problem and rebuild our image,' said one netizen. Another said: 'He should take a pack of tainted milk with him. The Shenzhou has dominated the news media, but don't forget the children and what they are suffering now.'
