About 60 percent of the people in Beijing surveyed said they would like to be astronauts in the wake of the recent successful flight of China's first spacecraft, according to report of Beijing Youth Daily on November 24.

The success of the first experimental flight of the spacecraft "Shenzhou" last weekend has aroused spaceflight fever among many Chinese people. While asked whether they wanted to become astronauts if possible, 55 percent of those surveyed said: "Yes, no matter how dangerous it would be."

About 10 percent of them said that they wanted to be astronauts "if there is no danger," and eight percent said they would never consider the possibility no matter how safe. The rest were not sure about what they would do.

As to the significance of the test flight, an overwhelming majority of the residents surveyed believes that it will greatly push forward the country's science and technology and bring benefits to development and national defense.

Seventy-one percent said the test had boosted the spirits of the Chinese people, and 38 percent said that it marked a giant step forward in the country's exploration and utilization of space resources.

In addition, 26 percent of those surveyed voiced the belief that the test will play a positive role in the promotion of science and technology knowledge among the Chinese people.