China will put a woman in space no later than 2010, the China Daily reported on Tuesday.
The world's third country to put a man into space would start choosing pilots, scientists and engineers for its first wave of female astronauts next year, the newspaper said.
"It is true women aviators have some advantages in terms of flight experience and physique, but we need payload experts with strong science and engineering background to do experiments in outer space," Hu Shixiang, deputy chief commander of China's manned space program, was quoted as saying.
At a reception for three U.S. astronauts visiting Beijing last week, Hu said at least four Chinese women would be selected for space in the first round of screening.
China has talked about putting women in space since it sent its first man into orbit in October 2003.
As a first step, China's air force had recruited about 30 female pilots, the China Daily said.
China plans to launch two astronauts into orbit in October as the next step in its lofty space ambitions that include setting up a space station and even putting people on the moon.
