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

A group of 30 young people from Taiwan, organized by the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, have recently attended a series of Confucian cultural events in east China's Shandong Province, contributing to strengthening communication between young people from the mainland and Taiwan, and helping promote cross-Strait relations.

On Monday, the 2025 Cross-Strait Confucius Cultural Spring Gathering opened in Qufu City of Shandong, the birthplace of Confucius. The youth delegation, along with Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the foundation, attended the launch ceremony.

On Tuesday morning, the delegation watched a Confucius memorial ceremony at the city's Temple of Confucius, where they offered floral baskets and recited classical texts to honor the ancient Chinese philosopher.

Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC) was ancient China’s most famous teacher, philosopher and political theorist, whose ideas have profoundly influenced the civilizations of China and other East Asian countries.

Kung Tsui-chang, a direct 79th-generation descendant of Confucius from Taiwan who also traveled with the youth delegation, expressed his hope that similar cultural exchanges would help strengthen ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

"The youths from Taiwan and the mainland performed the rituals and played the ritual music together. This cultural resonance transcends language and is the most vivid explanation of our shared cultural root. I believe that by sustained cultural dialogue, compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, while jointly safeguarding the common cultural root, will enhance mutual understanding, build consensus, and inject more positive energy into cross-Strait peace and national rejuvenation," said Kung, also president of the Confucius Foundation.

During their stay in Shandong, the delegation also participated in other exchange activities in the cities of Tai'an, Qingdao, Zaozhuang, and Jinan.

Taiwan's youth delegation attends Confucian cultural events in mainland