Space hero's parents decline expensive gifts
17/10/2005 12:24
Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news
The parents of Fei
Junlong, one of the two astronauts of China's second manned space voyage,
decline expensive gifts offered by businessmen so as to avoid the
commercialisation of their son's achievements, today's Nanjing Morning Post
reported. The astronauts returned to earth this morning, completing their
115.5-hour mission on board the Shenzhou-VI spaceship. The gifts vary from
tonics to TVs and even a villa, according to the parents. "We are very proud
of our son," his father Fei Changbao said.Though his son has become a national
celebrity after the heroic trip, the father said that the family as well as his
son prefer the quiet life. The Feis live in a 20-year-old, two-story farm
house at Bacheng in Jiangsu Province's Kunshan city.They declined a villa
offered by a local property developer.The three-story villa, valued at over 1
million yuan (US$123,609) and with floor-space of over 300 square meters, is
near neighboring Yangcheng Lake. "Our house is primitive, but we are
accustomed to it and feel contented," Mr. Fei senior said. He said that to
decline such offers is the best way to protect the good reputation of their
son. In praise of the family, the Kunshan government has also offered the
family a villa.
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