Chinese spacewalker Zhai Zhigang's space suit will be on display at the 2008 Beijing Dahongmen International Clothing Festival from October 16 to 20.

The 'Beijing Morning Post' newspaper reports that it's the first time that a Shenzhou-7 space suit will be displayed on the Chinese mainland. The space suit was removed directly after Zhai finished his mission. It hasn't been changed or cleaned since then.

The suit was transferred from the 'China Astronaut Research and Training Centre' to Dahongmen on Wednesday afternoon with a police escort. Staff then took about ten minutes to assemble the suit's fittings.

The suit was then filled with air and placed on a chair to replicate an astronaut sitting down. It will be displayed inside a two-meter high, purpose-made plexiglass cabinet during the festival and be guarded around-the-clock by armed police.

This domestically-made Chinese space suit is estimated to be worth over one million yuan (around US$146,000). The festival organizers will allow some citizens to view the suit, but it will not be on display to everyone.

(CRIENGLISH.com October 16, 2008)