Two astronauts on China's second manned space flight landed before dawn Monday after a five-day flight.

Astronaut Nie Haisheng (R) talks to journalists after he and Fei Junlong got out of the re-entry capsule of the Shenzhou VI spacecaft at the main landing field in Central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Monday morning October 17, 2005. The module landed 4:33 A.M. after a five-day flight.

The re-entry capsule of Shenzhou VI and astronauts Fei Junlong, Nie Haisheng touched down in the main landing field in Central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 4:33 A.M. Monday after a five-day flight.

The astronauts climbing out of their kettle-shaped capsule with the help of two technicians and clambering down a ladder in the predawn darkness. They smiled, waved to cheering members of the ground crew, accepted bouquets of flowers and sat in a pair of metal chairs beside the capsule.

The two said they were in good conditions when answering questions from journalists.

"I want to thank the people for their love and care. Thank you very much," Fei said.

After a snack of noodles, tea and chocolate, Fei and Nie set off by helicopter for a local airport. Later they were to fly from there to Beijing where a grand ceremony will be held.

The re-entry capsule landed one kilometer away from target, and six kilometers from the Shenzhou V landing site, Xinhua said.

China's top legislator Wu Bangguo, who watched the landing from the Beijing mission control center, declared the flight a success.

Astronaut Nie Haisheng gets out of the re-entry capsule of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft at the main landing field in Central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Monday morning October 17, 2005. Shenzhou VI landed after a five-day flight. [Xinhua]

"This will further improve the country's international status and national strength, and will help to mobilize its people to rally around the Communist Party and work harder for the future of the country," Wu said in a brief speech to technicians.

Jubilant residents in Nie's home town in central Hubei province set off firecrackers and performed traditional lion dances.

Fei's mother wept on learning of his safe return, and his father declared "The motherland is so great!" Xinhua said.

Both will be in isolation for observation for 14 days after the mission, but family members will be allowed to visit, the Beijing Youth Daily newspaper said Sunday.

Fei and Nie blasted off Wednesday on China's second manned space mission. It came almost e

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