A photography exhibition commemorating the 45th anniversary of
the first manned spaceflight by the former Soviet cosmonaut Yuriy
Gagarin opened in Beijing Wednesday.
"He is a hero who deserves international respect," said
70-year-old Li Duoli, a visitor to the show.
The event, in Chaoyang Park, is sponsored by the Russian Embassy
and two other organizations.
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Pictures of Gagarin stepping out of the spacecraft, excited
spectators, Gagarin in training and giving lectures, and other
space exploration efforts feature in the show.
Li said Gagarin had inspired the Chinese people to realize their
dreams of spaceflight. In 1961, the year of the flight, China
successfully test-fired its first rocket.
Now China has joined the league of countries that have
undertaken manned spaceflights. Worldwide, more than 400 astronauts
have journeyed into space.
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2006)
