TOKYO - One of the first men to walk on the moon - US astronaut "Buzz" Aldrin - hailed China's manned space flight saying it heralded a new age that could either result in greater competition or greater co-operation in space.

China had put its first man in space earlier in the day on the Shenzhou V, or "Divine Vessel" four decades after the former Soviet Union and the US had pioneered manned space flight.

"Buzz" Aldrin, who with Neil Armstrong in 1969 took part in the first moon landing, said: "I hope all Americans are overjoyed with the success of the launch and do not feel that we have exclusive rights over opportunities to go into space.

"I do believe that it opens up a decision to be made as to whether this will move toward a race in space, or a joining together of mutual beneficial assistance."

Aldrin, in Tokyo for a conference, added that he felt there were things all space-faring nations could learn from each other to their mutual benefit.

The US space programme suffered a major setback in February when one of its space shuttles exploded on re-entry at the end of a 16-day flight, killing the seven astronauts on board. The remaining shuttles have since been grounded.

"I can clearly see where we could use some of the attributes that the Shenzhou spacecraft could offer in the way of space station lifeboat, crew return capabilities," he said, without elaborating.

"I think the States and the rest of the nations could assist in easing some of the future decisions that could be made, and that we could share some of the experiences we've had that could be beneficial to the Chinese. I'd like to see that happen."

(Agencies via Xinhua)