Shenzhou-7 astronauts arrive in Beijing

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The three Shenzhou-7 astronauts have arrived in Beijing after their successful mission, which included China's first space walk. They landed on Monday Morning at Beijing Xijiao Airport, where a ceremony was held to celebrate their return. A moment for heroes coming back home.

Young pioneers present bouquets to Chinese astronauts
Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng at the space
program headquarters in Beijing's north suburbs, China,
on Sept. 29, 2008. The three Chinese astronauts who
successfully completed a space journey Sunday came back
to Beijing Monday morning. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

Hundreds of people, including senior PLA officials, flocked to Beijing Xijiao Airport to celebrate the trio's glorious return.

After their arrival, the crew gave a brief report of their 68-hour mission.

Zhai Zhigang said, "Astronaut Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng successfully completed the Shenzhou-7 mission by accomplishing EVA and other experiments during a three-day flight, and landed in Inner Mongolia at 5:38 P-M on September 28th."

The Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission hailed their historic achievements.

Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of Central Military Commission, said, "You have successfully completed your mission through your bravery, cool-headed decisions, and meticulous operations during the flight. Especially you conducted the country's first-ever space walk, wearing a made-in-China spacesuit. This marks a new page of our country's endeavors in space exploration and peaceful exploitation of space."

In addition to cheers and praise, reuniting with their loved ones was also part of Monday's celebration for these heroic astronauts.

Later, the crew arrived at the Beijing Space Town, where the nerve center of the Shenzhou-7 mission is based.

Hundreds of Chinese space scientists and technicians lined along the roads, hailing the crew's arrival.

The trio is expected to undergo a two-week preventive quarantine in the medical facilities in the space town. And medical experts will thoroughly check their physical and mental health.