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Variety the spice of life as 20,000 fans turn out to see spacemen

Peter So

More than 20,000 fans of the Shenzhou VII astronauts packed a variety show at Hong Kong Stadium yesterday afternoon to honour the men to took part in the nation's first spacewalk mission.

On the third day of a visit by a 40-strong space programme delegation, the three astronauts soaked up a passionate welcome from the crowd as they were driven around the stadium in golf carts, amid a sea of national flags, so people could get a closer look at them.

Efforts by China's first spacewalker, Colonel Zhai Zhigang , to greet the crowd in Cantonese drew a delighted response. He said Hongkongers' warmth and patriotism impressed him.

Colonel Zhai encouraged Hongkongers to overcome any difficulties they faced with the same persistence and intelligence the astronauts had demonstrated during their space journey.

'We faced difficulties opening the spacecraft's door, but we eventually opened it and accomplished China's first spacewalk mission through our hard work and mutual support,' he said.

The astronauts fielded questions from pop singers and students. One asked Colonel Liu Boming what he would have done if his teammates had not returned from their spacewalk.

He said there was sufficient safety equipment to secure the men, but added: 'If Colonel Zhai Zhigang wanted to be an eternal spaceman, I wouldn't have allowed it, and I think all Chinese wouldn't have allowed it.'

The astronauts also joined the crowd in singing Descendants of the Dragon - a song celebrating national identity.

Earlier yesterday, the delegates visited The Peak, shook hands with passers-by and had their pictures taken with a wax figure of Yang Liwei - China's first man in space.

On Saturday night, the astronauts went shopping at a jewellery store in Kowloon, with each spending about HK$5,000.

Their trip, which has been packed with visits, forums and banquets, finishes this morning with a meeting with primary and secondary students. Their next stop is Macau.

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