Paper identifies shortlisted astronauts for the journey

First in line for the epic orbit may be Yang Liwei, a 38-year-old from Liaoning

The three mainland astronauts who have been shortlisted to become China's first man in space - and a household name across the nation - have been identified by a pro-Beijing paper.

Wen Wei Po says Yang Liwei, born in 1965 and from Saizhong in northeastern Liaoning province, is first in line.

Zhai Zhigang is second choice and Nie Haisheng the third pick, the paper claims.

However, the report said it was not clear whether the first astronaut named on the list would be the one chosen to man the historic flight.

The three were selected from a pool of 14 astronauts - including two trainers - after intensive physical and psychological tests.