The launch of China's third manned spacecraft Shenzhou-7 has further boosted Chinese people's space fervor and national pride.

Millions watched the live broadcast when the spacecraft, carrying three taikonauts (astronauts), blasted off from a northwest launch center at 9:10 PM on Thursday.

"I was so nervous during the countdown and I thought I could hardly breathe," said 65-year-old Zhang Jizhong in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province.

Sitting in front of television for about five hours, Zhang said he felt overwhelmingly excited and proud as the Shenzhou-7 was launched successfully. "The launch shows how advanced our country's space technology is," he said.

In Hefei, capital of east Anhui Province, people stood in front of a big screen on a downtown street to witness the historical moment. Many applauded warmly for the lift-off and others took out cameras to take pictures.

In north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region where Shenzhou-7's return module is scheduled to land, people are even more zealous.

"I am proud that the Shenzhou spacecraft will land near my home. I hope I could do something for it," herdsman Qi Qingtu said.

In 2005, the magnetic recorder, or "black box" of the Shenzhou-6, was first sighted by a herdswoman in Otog Banner in the autonomous region, which fell on the pasture just 1.5 kilometers away from her home.

Astronomic fans took the launch as a chance for fun and party.

Kou Wen, a 42-year-old Beijinger drove 300 kilometers from Beijing to Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province with 13 friends, in order to see the Shenzhou-7 by themselves.

With telescopes and cameras, Kou and his friends kept observing the sky during their journey. "Unfortunately, the clouds were too thick tonight," a disappointed Kou said.

But Kou said they would search the website for clues of a proper observing place and continue to track the Shenzhou spacecraft. "I really hope we could see Shenzhou-7 during the space walk, but I know it would be very difficult," he said.

Reports said people could see the spacecraft, which would orbit the Earth at an altitude of 343 kilometers, in many places in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Changchun, if weather permitted.

China's online forums were already packed with warm remarks left by Chinese netizens, many of whom watched the lift-off through live video broadcast at major portals.

"Even though China's space technology is still not as strong as the United States and Russia, our future is bright. Just look at how many young people are interested in the space technology," oneanonymous netizen wrote at the Xinhuanet.com.

"I hope in the near future, ordinary Chinese could board a Shenzhou spacecraft to tour the outer space, just like riding on a bus," another netizen wrote.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2008)