China's unmanned spacecraft Shenzhou II, Shenzhou meaning "magic vessel" in Chinese, is now operating in good condition and carrying out preset astronomical experiments according to original plans. Sources with the Beijing Aerospace Directing and Controlling Centre said on Saturday that the centre has successfully directed the spacecraft to circle around the Earth 60 times and will monitor its movements as it does so.

After Shenzhou II was launched into its preset orbit on January 10, the centre sent a series of directions and data to the spacecraft and made it complete numerous sophisticated maneuvers.

The centre has directed Shenzhou II to move from its initial oval orbit to a round one on its 14th tour around the Earth.

On January 12, the Directing and Controlling Centre ignited the spacecraft's engine for the second time to maintain its ideal orbit path and pave the way for its return to earth.

Meanwhile, experiments on the environment in space, space material, space astronomy and physics, and voice transmission have been conducted on the spacecraft.

In the coming days, the Beijing Aerospace Directing and Controlling Centre will closely trace and monitor the flying conditions of Shenzhou II and make preparations for its journey back to Earth.

Launched into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu Province on January 10, Shenzhou II is the second craft of its kind to undertake such a mission and is expected to lead to China's first manned space flight.