China Launches First Willing Manned Mission Into Space

The Chinese government is crazy!

I also had no idea that the Chinese were so far behind in space technology.

Some quotes:

Today we send a man into space, fully conscious and without shackles.

China's first manned mission occurred when political prisoner Yang Li-Wei was knocked unconscious in his cell and awoke to find himself in orbit.

Chinese officials say the willing man is due to improvements in their space program, which now includes food and helmets for their astronauts.

Once, soldiers came and took away my father to be an astronaut, they said they would burn our house down if he did not go.

In order to fix any technical problems that may arise while in orbit, Zhang Tong has been provided with a hammer and two nails.

Pending the success of the mission, we may even consider equipment upgrades that will make it possible for shuttles to return to earth.