China will work with the international community for the peaceful use of outer space, said Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday when addressing a rally celebrating the country's first manned spaceflight, which made it the third spacefaring country after Russia and the United States.

Moer than 6,000 people attended the high-profile rally inside the Great Hall of the People, which was organized by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

Among those crowned is the first Chinese taikonaut, 38-year-old Colonel Yang Liwei. He received the certificate and medal of "Space Hero" from Chairman Jiang Zemin of the Central Military Commission.

The rally was chaired by China's NPC Standing Committee Chariman Wu Bangguo. Premier Wen Jiabao announced the decision of the central government to honor the space hero.

(People's Daily November 8, 2003)