BEIJING (AP) -- China's first astronaut in space returned safely to Earth on Wednesday when his craft touched down as planned after 21 hours in orbit. Beijing's mission control declared the country's landmark debut flight ``a success.''

The craft carrying Lt. Col. Yang Liwei touched down on the grasslands of Inner Mongolia in northern China as planned at dawn Thursday, the official Xinhua News Agency said. Minutes later, he emerged from the capsule without help and waved at rescuers, though footage showed him appearing a bit dazed.

The government said Shenzhou 5 landed at 6:23 a.m. EDT (2223 GMT). It was early Thursday morning at the touchdown site.

``The mission was a success,'' said Li Jinai, the head of China's manned space program. He called Yang a ``space hero.''

The completion of the mission was the crowning achievement of an 11-year, military-linked manned space program promoted as a symbol of national prestige both at home and abroad. The country's premier, Wen Jiabao, immediately spoke to Yang from Beijing and offered his congratulations.

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