The three astronauts who completed China’s first spacewalk mission arrived in Macao today for a three-day visit.

Head of the delegation, the Deputy Chief Commander of the Shenzhou VII Mission, Mr Zhang Jianqi, and the three astronauts -- Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng -- were greeted by some 500 people at the ferry terminal when they arrived from Hong Kong about 1pm.

The Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr Lau Si Io, and the Deputy Director of Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao of Liaison Office, Mr Li Benjun, met them at the terminal.

In the afternoon, the delegation attended a sharing session at Macau Tower, with the three astronauts telling of their experience in space with about 1,000 students and residents.

The Chief Executive, Mr Edmund Ho Hau Wah, welcomed the delegation at Government Headquarters in the evening and hosted a banquet for its members.

He congratulated them for the successful mission, which was underlined by the first spacewalk by a Chinese astronaut.

Tomorrow the delegation is scheduled to visit some attractions and attend another sharing session with students in the afternoon, followed by a welcoming performance in the evening.