BEIJING, Oct 13: With days to go before China’s maiden manned space flight, leading newspapers — from the staid People’s Daily to more lively tabloids — have started carrying detailed reports and full-colour photographs of preparations for the history-making event.

The People’s Daily termed the launch “a great boost to the country’s national prestige,” and acknowledged military implications for China.

The Hong Kong-based pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po, meanwhile, said President Hu Jintao would fly to the isolated Jiuquan Launch Centre immediately after a key communist party meeting ends in Beijing Tuesday evening.

The paper said he would meet the chosen astronaut or astronauts that night and then preside over a simple ceremony Wednesday morning, meeting the pilot or pilots again.

The Beijing Youth Daily said a list of 14 potential astronauts had been whittled down to three with the decision on who makes the flight made on Tuesday after a final series of tests.

Xinhua has said the launch would come sometime between Wednesday and Friday although the Wen Wei Po has been more specific, saying blast off was scheduled for 0100 GMT on Wednesday.

Shenzhou V (meaning Divine Vessel V), said to have been named by former president Jiang Zemin, can seat up to three astronauts.—AFP