China's astronauts brace for historic mission

Three Chinese astronauts made final preparations Wednesday for a mission that will include the nation's first ever space walk, saying they were confident of handling what will be a difficult but historic voyage.

Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, all born in 1966 and all holding the rank of colonel, saluted stiffly as they appeared before journalists inside the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in a remote desert area in northwest China.

"I have lived, studied and trained with Zhigang and Haipeng for the past more than 10 years," said Liu, sitting in his blue astronaut uniform, separated from reporters by a window pane to avoid contamination.

"Especially in our training for Shenzhou VII, it's been going so well that we can cooperate without even having to use words."

The launch is scheduled for between 9:07 pm and 10:27 pm (1307 and 1427 GMT) on Thursday, Wang Zhaoyao, a spokesman for the manned space programme, told an earlier press conference.

"Shenzhou VII is a new breakthrough, a new leap, for our manned space programme," Zhai said in the televised press conference.

"It's a glorious mission, with historical significance. It's the highest honour for us astronauts to travel into space as representatives of the motherland."

The Shenzhou -- whose name means "Divine Vessel" -- will move into orbit at an altitude of 373 kilometres (230 miles) for the space walk, which is expected Friday or Saturday.