BEIJING, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- A pamphlet containing a speech by President Hu Jintao about China's first space walk was released nationwide on Saturday.

    Hu delivered the speech at a conference on Friday.

    The pamphlet was published by the People's Press.

    Hu presented three astronauts -- Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng -- with medals and certificates commemorating their outstanding performance during the spacewalk, which was conducted during the Shenzhou VII flight late in September.

    Hu said it was a small step for a Chinese astronaut but a big step for the nation's scientific and technological innovation.

    He said the successful spacewalk was a milestone in the country's space history and a major achievement in building an innovative nation.

    China became the third country in the world to complete a spacewalk on Sept. 25.