Sr. Col. Yang said he thought about other astronauts as he spun around the Earth last October in a Shenzhou spacecraft.

"As many astronauts who have gone into space, I have the same experience when I'm looking at our planet," he said through an interpreter. The touching sight of our "beautiful home" inspired him to display United Nations flags along with the Chinese flag while in orbit.

Winston Scott, a former astronaut and executive director of the Florida Space Authority, presented Yang with a large compass in a wooden box, saying it exemplified what humans do in space.

"It's about doing things that no one has done before," Scott said. "It's about navigation. It's about the future."

Yang and Su Shuangning, deputy chief of the China Manned Space Engineering Program Office, thanked the Florida officials for their experiences at "Canaveral Cape," as the interpreter put it.

They gave Scott a crystal taikonaut and a gleaming golden model of the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft that Yang flew to orbit.

The meeting largely came about through the years-long friendship Tallahassee real estate broker Terrance Fregly and his family have with one Chinese official.

The Chinese were interested in sending a space delegation but weren't sure if they were welcome, and since Fregly was friends with Winston Scott, he opened the door to an invitation. They're flying buddies.

"He's a Navy pilot. I'm an Air Force pilot. I give him a hard time," Fregly said.

They worked out the visit with state and U.S. officials over a few months. "It's a first recognition by the United States of China as a spacefaring nation," he said.

Yang said that, earlier in the day, he even chatted with NASA officials about the idea of visiting the International Space Station.

People at the reception asked Yang questions and shook his hand, among them former KSC director Forrest McCartney and Tim Gagnon, director of the Young Astronauts Club at Divine Mercy Catholic School in Merritt Island.

One astronaut Yang spoke with was Sam Durrance, executive director of the Florida Space Research Institute. Durrance said that, among other things, they talked about the exclusive club of astronauts that Yang and, through him, China now have been invited to join.

Earlier in the day, the Chinese delegation visited Disney's Epcot Center in Orlando, including the "Mission: Space" exhibit.

Published under license from FLORIDA TODAY. Copyright 2004 FLORIDA TODAY. No portion of this material may be reproduced in any way without the written consent of FLORIDA TODAY.