BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) — Nigerian President Umaru Yar’adua Monday telephoned Chinese President Hu Jintao to congratulate China on its recent successful Shenzhou-7 space mission.

    Yar’adua said following the successful hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics, China passed a milestone achievement by completing the Shenzhou-7 space mission, which marked the first spacewalk by Chinese astronauts. The successful conclusion of the mission fully displayed the country’s capability and determination to become a world power.

    On Sunday, Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat sent a congratulatory message to China’s Premier Wen Jiabao on the same occasion.

    Somchai lauded the mission as a milestone achievement, which became an unforgettable memory for all.

    China’s progress in science and technology will benefit not only Chinese people but also humanity as a whole, the prime minister added.