Chinese high-flying astronaut promoted
The fighter pilot who made China’s first trip into space last week has been promoted, amid efforts by the communist government to build Lt Col Yang Liwei into a national hero.
Yang’s promotion to full colonel was approved several weeks ago, but his superiors didn’t tell him until after he returned space flight, the official Xinhua News agency said.
“The promotion decision was made for his excellent performance as a member of the team during recent years,” the agency said.
However, it said: “His superiors decided not to inform Yang of the decision as they thought it might affect his mood as the manned space mission was approaching.”
