The three Chinese astronauts that had the honor and responsibility to complete China’s first spacewalk arrived today in Beijing and were greeted with an exciting and colorful homecoming parade. The re-entry capsule of the Shenzhou VII successfully landed using a parachute in northern China and it only took ten minutes for the search-and-rescue team to locate the spot.

The event took place at the Beijing Aerospace Center, where the astronauts trained before the mission, and was presented by state broadcaster CCTV. People all across the country were able to see the three with flower garlands around their necks, smiling and waving at the crowd gathered to greet them. The hundreds of people cheered and applauded, holding up banners, flags and balloons. Some of them were shouting "Learn from the astronauts and salute the astronauts," while the banners saluted the mission’s success.

With the confidence boost induced by these recent achievements, China’s scientists will direct their full attention on the work needed to complete the space station and land a man on the moon. "After we have successfully completed these three steps, we will go to even more remote areas," said Wang Zhaoyao, deputy director of manned space flight, also adding that China hopes to complete a manned mission to the moon "in the near future."

The plans include the launch of a new orbiting vehicle and the set up of a simple space lab by 2011 and an experimental manned mission which will test some technologies meant to keep astronauts in space for longer periods of time, by 2020.

Considering the fact that the last human landing on the moon happened in 1972, completed by the United States, it would be a huge honor and scientific accomplishment for China to conduct such a mission. Its efforts can even be placed above others, because the country is rather new when it comes to space missions and its efforts and improvements over the past 20 years are truly remarkable.

The astronauts were also extremely happy with the outcome. "It was a glorious mission, full of challenges with a successful end," said mission commander Zhai Zhigang. "We feel proud of the motherland."

China’s efforts for improving its technology have been mostly done on its own, as there are several serious issues between its officials and the United States and the European countries involved in such projects. This is also the reason why China is not taking part nor will it take part in the work with the International Space Station.

The country has spent billions of dollars to ensure that everything will be set for the accurate completion of its ambitious plans. China is only the third country to send humans into space using its own spacecraft, with previous missions completed by the United States and Russia. The rapid progress in this field of work is considered a great booster for the national pride and also one of the best ways of strengthening the nation’s image all over the world but also within its borders.