Secretary-General congratulates Chinese on first manned space mission

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today congratulated China on its first manned space mission, calling it a "step forward for all humankind."

A statement distributed today by a spokesman for Mr. Annan said the Secretary-General "extends his warm congratulations to the People's Republic of China on its first mission into space, and hopes for the safe and successful completion of this maiden voyage.

"He notes that as the exploration of space knows no national borders, the mission of the Shenzhou V is a step forward for all humankind," the statement added.