The Shenzhou-18 crew members on board China's orbiting space station Tiangong captured stunning views of their hometowns from space, offering viewers a unique perspective of the nation's diverse landscapes.
On April 25, China launched the Shenzhou 18 manned spacecraft, sending three astronauts into the space station for a six-month mission, with a planned return to the Earth later this month.
Among them is Ye Guangfu from Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan in southwest China, a region often referred to as the "Land of Abundance" and the region's hub for economic, cultural and technological development.
"Hello everyone, I'm astronaut Ye Guangfu. Today, I invite you to join me in taking a look at my beautiful hometown. In the left foreground of my camera, you can see the Dujiangyan Irrigation System on the Minjiang River, located in the western part of the Chengdu Plain. This monumental water conservancy project, characterized by its dam-free water diversion, has a history of over 2,200 years. It continues to provide comprehensive benefits for flood control, irrigation, water transport, and domestic water supply up to the present. I sincerely invite everyone to come and visit my hometown," he said.
Fellow astronaut Li Cong, from Handan City of north China's Hebei Province, shared his perspective as well.
"I'm astronaut Li Cong. The Chinese space station is currently passing over northwestern China, where the winding Yellow River flows through the Loess Plateau, meandering through the Great Yellow River Bend Plain before heading east. The land gradually turns brown, revealing the vast Hebei Plain, where my hometown lies to the south and east of the Taihang Mountains," he said.
Li Guangsu, from Peixian County of Xuzhou City in east China's Jiangsu Province, also reflected on his hometown's connection to major waterways.
"Today, I'd like to show you my hometown. From space, you can see the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and how the Hanzhuang Canal and other river systems connect the Luoma Lake, the Hongze Lake, the Gaoyou Lake, and the Huaihe River. East of the Hongze Lake, the waterway flowing to the Yellow Sea is the Huaihe River estuary, stretching over 160 kilometers. Two years ago, construction began on the second phase of the Huaihe River estuary project, which aims to widen and deepen this waterway. As development continues, the dream of a peaceful Huaihe River Basin is gradually becoming a reality," he said.
Chinese astronauts capture stunning views of hometowns from space
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
