A general director of China's space program says the development of the Shenzhou VI, which is to be launched next autumn, is progressing smoothly.

The head of the China Academy of Space Technology, Yuan Jiaxian, said this at a meeting on science and technology in Shanghai, China Radio International reported on Tuesday.

He said the successful launch of the Shenzhou V proved the reliability and safety of the Shenzhou series.

The new features of the Shenzhou VI will improve the astronauts' ability to deal with emergencies.

The Shenzhou VI spaceship will take two astronauts for a five-day flight.

China's first manned spacecraft, the Shenzhou V, was launched last October with one Chinese astronaut on board for a one-day flight.

(CRI November 3, 2004)