She would work as a researcher at a planned Chinese space station, the reports said, adding that the pilots of China's spacecraft will be men under a "division of labor" between the sexes.

China launched its first manned space mission last October. The government says it will launch a pair of astronauts late next year in its second manned mission. A space station also is planned.

The government said in March that it would recruit women as astronauts after lobbying by the official All-China Women's Federation.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 19, 2004
(C) All rights reserved