Street banners welcome home the 'pride of the Chinese nation'

Web portal Sina.com hailed the rising of a dragon and Xinhua called him a space warrior. Street banners proclaimed him the 'pride of the Chinese nation'. Already, Yang Liwei is assured a place in history as one of the 21st century's most celebrated Chinese icons.

Yesterday, the nation rolled out the red carpet for the return of Lieutenant-Colonel Yang from his historic space mission. In a formal ceremony in Beijing, Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan told him: 'I am welcoming you on behalf of the central government, the State Council, the Central Military Commission and [its] chairman Jiang [Zemin].

'You have made a significant achievement for the motherland and the people, we are grateful to you.'

The crowds were less restrained at an official celebration of Colonel Yang's return at a Beijing military airport. They waved flags and balloons shouting 'Long live the motherland', as colourful dragon dancers paraded and drummers and dancers performed.

The crowd held banners saying, 'Yang Liwei, the pride of the Chinese nation' and 'Yang Liwei, welcome home'. Beribboned and garlanded, Colonel Yang was then tossed in the air by the celebrating crowd.

Excited children told state television they were 'ecstatic' about Colonel Yang's return. One young man said: '[Flying to space] was my childhood dream, and today Yang Liwei has fulfilled my dream for me.'