Shenzhou-19 crew conduct tasks in orderly manner after receiving supplies from Earth

China's Shenzhou-19 crew aboard the orbiting Tiangong space station has been carrying out space experiments, performing equipment maintenance, and conducting other tasks in an orderly manner over the past week after receiving supplies from the Earth in mid-November.

China launched the cargo craft Tianzhou-8 on Nov 15 to deliver supplies for its Tiangong space station.

Tianzhou-8 carried approximately six tons of materials, including consumables for the astronauts' in-orbit residency, propellants, experiment equipment, and 458 kilograms of scientific research supplies.

The supplies aboard the cargo craft are primarily intended to support the Shenzhou-19 astronauts and the future Shenzhou-20 crew.

The Shenzhou-19 crew received supplies after the Tianzhou-8 successfully docked with the space station on Nov 16.

Last week, the crew completed the replacement of the biomechanics module's drawers and the installation of sample units in the biotechnology experiment cabinet. These tasks will assist researchers in exploring the impact of biological segregation on lipid metabolism in space.

They also transported and installed the cell tissue experiment module, which will support the crew in conducting a variety of biotechnology experiments using cells and tissues as biological samples. The crew has completed several other tasks, including inspecting the sample tray and replacing experimental samples for the solid-liquid mesoscopic experimental unit in the fluid physics experiment cabinet.

They also cleaned the experimental chamber, replaced samples, and maintained the axial mechanism electrodes of the container-free material cabinet.

In terms of space medicine experiments, the astronauts have conducted research regarding the effects of changes in intraocular and intracranial pressure on vision function and related protective techniques.

Last week, they also completed inspections and maintenance of the space treadmill and the regenerative life support system aboard the space station.

For environmental monitoring within the space station, the crew has measured noise exposure doses, wind speed, and temperatures.

In terms of station management, they have performed regular cleaning, inspection, and maintenance across all modules.

The crew has also regularly undergone a range of medical examinations as required, including cardiovascular ultrasounds, ECGs, dynamic heart and blood pressure monitoring, bone density measurement, and strength tests.

For the first time, fruit flies have been brought into space aboard Tianzhou-8.

In the sub-magnetic, microgravity composite environment, researchers can study the growth and behavior of fruit flies to conduct research in fields such as genetics and neuroscience.

During their stay in space, the Shenzhou-19 crew will carry out 86 space science research and technology experiments, covering areas such as space life science and space medicine.

China launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship at the end of October, sending three astronauts -- including the country's first female space engineer -- to its space station for a six-month mission.

Shenzhou-19 crew conduct tasks in orderly manner after receiving supplies from Earth

Shenzhou-19 crew conduct tasks in orderly manner after receiving supplies from Earth

A Chinese representative has called for unity and collaboration in the face of climate crisis after a package of climate agreements was reached early Sunday at the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

The agreements included decisions on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate financing and issues relating to the global carbon market mechanism under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

The agreements set the post-2025 climate finance targets, including an annual funding of at least 300 billion U.S. dollars from developed countries and a broader climate financing goal of at least 1.3 trillion dollars per year by 2035 for supporting developing countries' climate actions.

In his speech at the closing plenary session, Zhao Yingmin, head of the Chinese delegation and vice minister of ecology and environment, highlighted that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Over the past 30 years, the process of climate governance under the convention has faced challenges but has consistently moved forward.

Zhao emphasized that humanity is a community with a shared future, and in the face of the climate crisis, unity and collaboration are the only viable paths.

The vice minister also noted that the outcome document on the NCQG revealed that developed countries' financial commitments still fall far short of meeting the needs of developing nations, and their financial obligations must be further clarified.

The upcoming year 2025 will mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Paris Agreement. At this new historic juncture, all parties must remain true to their original aspirations and forge ahead, said the Chinese official.

He added that addressing the global climate crisis requires adhering to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities", upholding multilateralism, and working together for mutual benefit.

Zhao reaffirmed that China, as a responsible major developing country, will steadfastly promote the multilateral process and international cooperation on climate change, regardless of how the global landscape evolves.

China will continue to implement its national strategy for actively addressing climate change, pursue its carbon peaking and neutrality goals and engage extensively in South-South climate cooperation to contribute to global green, low-carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable development, he said.

The Chinese representative also called on the international community to work together to make substantial progress toward the vision set out in the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement and jointly build a clean and beautiful world.

China calls for unity, cooperation as COP29 reaches global climate deal package