A delegation of China's First Manned Space Mission, including its first astronaut Yang Liwei, is scheduled to begin visiting the United Nations on Wednesday (US Eastern Time) at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Chinese space officials said Tuesday.

Yang will present Annan two UN flags which were aboard China's spaceship Shenzhou-V in the first manned space voyage last October, said the officials.

The delegation has departed for the United States at an unspecified date, the officials said.

The delegation was seen off at Beijing Capital International Airport by Li Jinai, head of China's manned space program and director of the General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2004)