Parts of Shenzhou 5, China's first piloted space vehicle which orbited the earth for 21 hours in mid-October, are now on display at an exhibition which opened at the China Centenary Altar, in downtown Beijing, Friday.

Among the first visitors were Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut, and his son, Yang Ningkang.

Most of the visitors, including school children, were interested in the food the astronaut ate during the space mission.

The astronaut's son led a dozen of the young students in a performance of an imitation space launch at the exhibition hall, with the televised scene of the space mission as the background. The audience cheered at the children's performance.

The exhibits include the re-entry capsule, astronaut's suit, and food, including chocolate and "Zhacai", a preserved hot pickle from Sichuan, southwest China.

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2003)