3rd group of astronauts takes shape

List to be cut to '17 or 18' choices, including engineers and scientists

A senior Chinese space official announced the selection of the country's third batch of astronaut candidates on Monday and is expected to narrow the group down to 17 to 18 after more testing.

"The selection process covers three periods, and we will select both males and females," said Yang Liwei, head of the China Manned Space Agency and the nation's first astronaut.