The Shenzhou IX spacecraft has landed safely at the main landing area in northern China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region and all three astronauts aboard are in good physical condition, said Chang.

Three astronauts who fulfilled China’s first manned space docking safely returned to earth on Friday morning.

The return capsule of Shenzhou IX spacecraft touched down in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as planned.

Medical staff entered the capsule and reported the astronauts were in good conditions.

While in the capsule, the astronauts reported to the command center “We have returned, and we feel good.”

Jing Haipeng, commander of the Shenzhou IX crew, was the first to come out of the return capsule, followed by Liu Wang and the country’s first woman astronaut Liu Yang.

The three will fly to Beijing after taking physical examinations in ambulance helicopters at the landing site.

Chinese leaders including Premier Wen Jiabao, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang arrived at the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center Friday morning to watch the return of Shenzhou IX spacecraft.