China's Long March-2F carrier rocket has all-success mission record since first flight

China's only manned carrier rocket in use currently, the Long March-2F, has an all-success track record of sending Shenzhou spaceships and other spacecraft into space over the past 25 years.

The Long March-2F carrier rocket conducted its first mission on November 20, 1999, successfully sending China's first experimental spaceship, the Shenzhou-1, into space.

This reliable rocket on Wednesday lifted the Shenzhou-19 crew to space, which is the latest progress of China's space program.

The combination of the Shenzhou-19 manned spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket was transferred to the launching area at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on October 22, to make the final preparation before launching.

The combination was lifted from the assembly and test facility and smoothly transported via a vertical transfer method.

In China, this way of transporting upright or vertically has started with the Long March 2F rocket.

"The 'three-vertical mode' refers to vertical assembly, vertical transport, and vertical launch. The Long March-2F rocket is China's first 'three-vertical mode' rocket. Subsequent rockets such as the Long March-5 and Long March-7, which are currently in service, as well as the future next-generation manned rocket, all use this 'three-vertical' mode," said Ren Xiaowei, an engineer of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

Ever since the rollout process, the Long March-2F rocket responsible for the Shenzhou-19 mission has stood tall and straight, its uprightness gets further fine-tuned after propellant loading.

"You can see four green column-like support arms. Their height can be adjusted. Through these, the rocket's verticality can be precisely controlled. Generally, it is adjusted to within one minute (that is within the range of 1/60th of a degree)," said Ren.

About 6.5 hours after launching, the Shenzhou-19 spaceship successfully docked with the space station combination, and the crew, mission commander Cai Xuzhe and astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze entered the space station, where the three astronauts of the Shenzhou-18 mission were ready for their arrival.

China's Long March-2F carrier rocket has all-success mission record since first flight

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, the outgoing Sudanese ambassador to China and the newly appointed foreign minister of Sudan, in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated Siddig on his assumption of office as Sudanese foreign minister, and expressed appreciation for his contributions to promoting the development of China-Sudan relations during his tenure as ambassador to China.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Sudan, Wang called on both sides to implement the important consensus reached between the two heads of state, promote continuous fruitful results in the bilateral relations, and bring benefits to the two peoples.

China supports Sudan firmly in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and supports Sudan in achieving peace, stability and development at an early date, said Wang, adding that China will continue to provide humanitarian assistance within its own capacity.

Siddig said that Sudan regards China as its most important partner and a trustworthy friend, prioritizes cooperation with China, and will continue to support China firmly in safeguarding its core interests.

As the new foreign minister, he will continue to spare no effort to promote the development of the Sudan-China strategic partnership, and will work collaboratively to implement a series of important global initiatives proposed by China.

Chinese FM meets with new Sudanese counterpart