JIUQUAN (China), Sept 25: China on Thursday launched its riskiest space flight yet, sending three men into orbit on a mission that will include the nation’s first space walk, state media said.

The Shenzhou VII spacecraft lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China at 9.10pm in the presence of President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders, state television reported live.

“The successful launch marked the first victory of the Shenzhou VII mission,” a triumphant Hu said.

As the spacecraft entered its pre-set orbit, the three astronauts kept in contact with ground control, occasionally waving to a camera as notebooks floated around in the weightlessness of their shuttle cabin.Hu earlier saw off the three, led by 41-year-old Zhai Zhigang, as they prepared for their 68-hour journey to space and back.—AFP