Zhai Zhigang, leader of China's Shenzhou-7 space mission, successfully performed a spacewalk on Saturday afternoon.

This means China has become the third country in the world to master the extra-vehicular activities technology following the United States and former Soviet Union.

Donning a 4-million-U.S.dollar homemade Feitian space suit, Zhai Zhigang pulled him out of the capsule in a head-out-first position. He then waved to the camera mounted on the service module.

"I'm now outside the spacecraft. I feel well. Shenzhou-7 is here greeting the Chinese people and people of the whole world."

Besides spacewalking, the taikonaut also retrieved a test sample placed on the exterior surface of the orbital module.

While Zhai Zhigang was performing the spacewalk, his crew member Liu Boming aided him in the orbital module and another taikonaut Jing Haipeng stayed in the re-entry module.

After the spacewalk, Chinese president Hu Jintao congratulated the three taikonauts on the nation's first successful spacewalk through telephone.

"Your successful spacewalk signifies a breakthrough in our country's manned spacecraft mission. The country and all the Chinese people thank you for your special contribution in making the mission a success."

On behalf of the three taikonauts, Zhai Zhigang talked to president, saying he felt "very well" walking in outer space.

"It's comfortable to wear the Feitian spacesuit. Being in vast outer space, I couldn't help feeling proud of our motherland."