Some heads of state and government have expressed their congratulations to China on the success of the Shenzhou-7 manned space mission in recent days.

Those who have sent congratulatory messages include South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Lao President Choummaly Sayasone and Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir and Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe.

The leaders said the success of the Shenzhou-7 space mission is another milestone in the development of China's space technologies.

The maiden space walk by a Chinese astronaut has secured a significant place for China in the world history of space navigation, they said, wishing China more achievements in this area.

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2008)