China's commercial rocket launches first international satellite

China's Lijian-1 Y5 commercial carrier rocket, which was launched Monday, sent 15 satellites, including one for Oman, into their planned orbits, marking the country's first commercial launch of an international satellite.

The Lijian-1 carrier rocket is a medium-sized launch vehicle with solid-fuel rocket engines, designed for rapid deployment of small and medium satellites into low to medium Earth orbits.

It was developed by CAS Space, a commercial spaceflight company established by the Institute of Mechanics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This rocket series completed its maiden flight on July 7, 2022, and has now launched a total of 57 satellites in the course of five flight missions, exceeding five tons of payload delivery.

Among the 15 satellites atop was Oman's remote-sensing satellite, marking China's first commercial launch for an international customer and underscoring the rocket's rising reputation in the global market.

"The cost of Lijian-1 carrier rocket is designed to be around 10,000 U.S. dollars per kilogram of payload. It's highly competitive globally in terms of reliability, cost, and mission adaptability," said Shi Xiaoning, chief designer of the Lijian-1 carrier rocket by CAS Space.

Successfully handling the launch of a foreign satellite demonstrates the Lijian-1's advanced technical capabilities. The timeline from Oman's confirmation of participation to launch took less than six months, showcasing the swift adaptability and responsiveness of the Lijian-1 technical team as they fine-tuned various technical parameters on short notice.

"Though it may appear to be a simple foreign satellite launch, this mission represents a significant technological accomplishment and underscores China's expanding international cooperation in space. Achieving success amid numerous challenges is truly a remarkable feat," said Yang Yuguang, chairman of the International Astronautical Federation's Space Transportation Committee.

Moving forward, plans are in place to expand the Lijian-1's capabilities with sea-based launches and missions targeting special orbital paths, enhancing its flexibility to better meet satellite users' diverse needs.

China's commercial rocket launches first international satellite

Beijing, capital of China, saw an increased number of inbound visits during this year's three-day Qingming Festival holiday which started on Friday, according to data from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.

Data shows that Beijing recorded over 9.59 million visits during the holiday, indicating a 6.2-percent increase compared with the same period in 2024. Based on the visits, the city saw a total tourism expenditure of 11.5 billion yuan (about 1.57 billion U.S. dollars), up 9.5 percent year on year.

Among the figures, the city received 69,000 visits made by overseas inbound tourists, a year-on-year increase of 45.6 percent. International tourism expenditure in Beijing reached 740 million yuan (about 101.19 million U.S. dollars), indicating a significant year-on-year growth of 46.2 percent.

Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox. Often seen as a time to enjoy the greenery of springtime and to visit the graves of ancestors, the holiday has also become a busy period for cultural and tourism activities in China.

Inbound visits to Beijing see robust increase during Qingming holiday