Latest news with #WangJie
RTHK
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTHK
Shenzhou-20 crew sends video greetings from space
Shenzhou-20 crew sends video greetings from space In their video greeting, Chinese astronauts - from left - Wang Jie, Chen Dong, and Chen Zhongrui - reflected on their childhood aspirations as Young Pioneers. Photo: CCTV The Shenzhou-20 crew on board China's orbiting space station on Wednesday extended greetings to children in celebration of the upcoming International Children's Day on June 1. The crew, made up of Chinese astronauts Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie, reflected on their childhood aspirations as Young Pioneers to contribute to China's space exploration. They expressed hope that today's youth would actively play a role in the nation's progress. The Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP) is a national organisation for Chinese children. "I still remember the first time I put on the [young pioneer's] red scarf. It was then that I made a silent vow to become someone who could contribute to society. That childhood dream has guided me through my journey in the aerospace field, and it's what has brought me to space today," said Chen Dong. "Back when I was a young pioneer, I was fascinated by the blue sky and curious about what was beyond Earth. When China's first manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-5, was launched, I was thrilled, and it strengthened my determination. Today, I've finally realised my dream and am able to work aboard China's space station," said Chen Zhongrui. "I have been remembering clearly the first line of the CYP anthem: 'We are the successors of communism.' This song has inspired generations of young pioneers to honour the legacy of our revolutionary predecessors, following in their footsteps with courage and striving toward our ideals. "When I sang this as a child, it always filled me with a sense of strength. Today, I'm proud to be an astronaut, contributing to our country's space endeavours. In the future, I hope you, the younger generation, will carry the baton and help China's space exploration to take steadier and farther steps," said Wang Jie. "This time, we brought the CYP flag to China's space station.... We believe you will take up the baton of history, starting by learning from the pioneers and growing into true pioneers, with the ambition to serve and strengthen our nation, and to be resolute and responsible strivers." Chen Dong added. The crew declared a "happy Children's Day to all the children" as they waved a Chinese Young Pioneers flag. The Shenzhou-20 manned spacecraft was successfully launched on April 24, 2025. (CCTV)
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chinese astronauts add debris shields to Tiangong space station during 8-hour spacewalk (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. A pair of taikonauts have completed their first spacewalk aboard China's Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). Two Shenzhou-20 crewmembers performed the mission's first extravehicular activity (EVA) on Thursday (May 22). The duo worked outside the Chinese low-Earth orbit laboratory for eight hours, wrapping up at 4:49 a.m. EDT (0849 GMT; 4:49 p.m. local time in Beijing). Chinese astronauts Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui served as the EVA's assigned spacewalkers, while their crewmate Wang Jie assisted from inside Tiangong with mission operators coordinating on Earth. Dong and Zhongrui exited the space station through the node cabin of the Tianhe module, marking the first time that airlock has been used for an EVA since Tiangong became operational. This was the 19th time taikonauts aboard Tiangong have conducted an EVA; many of these spacewalks have focused on installing debris shields to the station's exterior. With assistance from the station's robotic arm, Dong and Zhongrui successfully positioned a protective sheet on a designated exterior location on Tiangong. The pair also performed routine station maintenance and equipment inspections. RELATED STORIES: — 1,000 days in space! Core module of China's Tiangong space station hits milestone — China launches Shenzhou 20 astronauts to Tiangong space station (video) — Spacewalks: How they work and major milestones The Shenzhou-20 crew arrived at Tiangong on April 24, and are just about one month into their six-month-long mission. The trio replaced China's Shenzhou-19 astronauts, who returned to Earth on April 30. China has at least one more crewed mission planned for 2025. Shenzhou-21 is expected to launch sometime this fall. The Tiangong space station was completed in 2022 and has a continual occupancy planned for at least the next decade. The station presently consists of three main modules, but allows for China to launch more should they wish to expand the orbiting lab.
South China Morning Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China's factories race to ship goods amid US trade truce: ‘everyone's rushing'
Within hours of Beijing and Washington announcing a temporary truce in their ongoing trade war on Monday, production lines across China began grinding back into gear. Advertisement Chinese factory owners say they quickly received a barrage of messages from US buyers, demanding they resume production on orders that had been frozen due to sky-high tariffs – and expedite as many deliveries as possible. Now, those beleaguered exporters are rushing to capitalise on the 90-day pause in the tariff conflict – while also preparing for what they perceive as an inevitable return to instability due to the turbulent leadership of US President Donald Trump. Wang Jie, who runs a footwear factory in Guangdong province, had been forced to close down a production line in April, after her US clients suspended their orders following Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariff announcement. But the site is now operating at full speed once again, according to Wang, as those same clients urge her to ship their shoes while the tariffs remain relatively low Advertisement 'A client who has placed orders for May through August requested this morning that we resume production on the May order and deliver as soon as possible,' said Wang, adding that the fate of the orders for June to August would depend on the status of US-China trade negotiations.
Gulf Today
25-04-2025
- Science
- Gulf Today
China launches 3 astronauts to replace crew on Chinese space station
China has launched three astronauts into space to replace the crew on the Chinese Tiangong space station, marking a further step in the country's ambitions for a crewed mission to the moon and explore Mars. The Shenzhou 20 spaceship took off as planned atop China's workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5:17 p.m. local time (0917 GMT). It will reach the Tiangong about 6.5 hours later. The rocket lifted off from the launch center in Jiuquan, on the edge of the Gobi Desert in northwestern China. The spaceship will remain in space before returning the current crew. (L-R) Astronauts Wang Jie, Chen Zhongrui and Chen Dong wave during a departure ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. AFP The Tiangong, or "Heavenly Palace,' space station has made China a major contender in space, especially since it was entirely Chinese-built after the country was excluded from the International Space Station over US national security concerns. China's space program is controlled by the People's Liberation Army, the military branch of the ruling Communist Party. The addition of mechanical arms to the three-module station has also raised concerns from some that China could use them to disable satellites or other space vehicles during a crisis. A Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and a crew of three astronauts, lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi desert, in northwest China on April 24, 2025. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP) Since first launching a man into space in 2003 - becoming only the third country to do so - China's space program has advanced at a steady pace. The space agency has also landed an explorer on Mars and a rover on the less-explored far side of the moon, and aims to put a person on the moon before 2030. The Shenzhou, or "Celestial Vessel,' 20 mission will be commanded by Chen Dong, who is making his third flight. He will be accompanied by fighter pilot Chen Zhongrui and engineer Wang Jie, both making their maiden voyages, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Unlike previous crews, Shenzhou 20 is entirely male. People watch the launch of a Long March-2F carrier rocket, carrying the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft and a crew of three astronauts, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. AFP They will replace three astronauts currently on the Chinese space station. Like those before them, they will stay on board for roughly six months. The space ship is due to be launched into space atop China's workhorse Long March 2F rocket at 5:17pm local time (0917 GMT) and reach the Tiangong about 6.5 hours later. The three-person crew was sent in October last year and they have been in space for 175 days. They are due to return on April 29 after a brief overlap with their replacements. The Tiangong, fully assembled in October 2022, can accommodate up to six people at a time. While in space, the astronauts will conduct experiments in medical science and new technologies and perform space walks to carry out maintenance and install new equipment, the Manned Space Agency said. Associated Press
RTHK
23-04-2025
- Science
- RTHK
Veteran leads next crew to Tiangong space station
Veteran leads next crew to Tiangong space station Set for launch to Tiangiong are, from left, Wang Jie, Chen Dong and Chen Zhongrui from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre. Photo: AFP China announced on Wednesday that a veteran astronaut will lead two crew members on their first flight to the Tiangong space station, the latest milestone in the country's race to send a manned mission to the moon by 2030. The Shenzhou-20 mission is scheduled to blast off at 5.17 pm on Thursday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, said Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency. At the helm will be Chen Dong, a 46-year-old former fighter pilot and experienced space explorer who in 2022 became the first Chinese astronaut to spend more than 200 cumulative days in orbit. On his latest Shenzhou mission, his third, Chen said he was "still very excited". Said the mission commander: "Every space journey is very unique, so I look forward to bringing in more experience and breakthroughs in the flight." Joining Chen will be two other male astronauts, Chen Zhongrui, a 40-year-old former air force pilot, and Wang Jie, a 35-year-old former space technology engineer. "Today, I am on the point of realising my dream of flying in space," said Chen Zhongrui. "To be honest, when we first started training together, we were still a little nervous," he said of himself and Wang. "Now [the three crew members] are integrated like they are a single person," he added. The astronauts currently aboard the Tiangong space station are scheduled to return to Earth on April 29 after completing handover procedures with the incoming crew, Lin added. China's space programme, the third to put humans in orbit, has also landed robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon. The Tiangong space station – crewed by teams of three astronauts that are exchanged every six months – is the crown jewel of the country's space project. Like previous missions, the Shenzhou-20 crew will continue to conduct experiments in physics and life sciences and will install protective equipment against space debris. For the first time, they will also bring planarians aboard – aquatic flatworms known for their regenerative abilities. "The results could help address problems related to injuries sustained in space environments," said Lin on Wednesday. (AFP)
