Shenzhou-19 crew sets new record for longest extravehicular mission by Chinese astronauts

China

Shenzhou-19 crew sets new record for longest extravehicular mission by Chinese astronauts

2024-12-18 02:52 Last Updated At：09:07

Shenzhou-19 crew members aboard China's orbiting space station successfully completed a marathon nine-hour spacewalk at 21:57 Beijing Time on Tuesday, setting a new duration record for Chinese astronauts' extravehicular activities (EVAs).

Astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong were assigned the EVA duty, while Wang Haoze assisted the pair throughout the mission from inside the space station. It was the 17th spacewalk carried out by Chinese astronauts.

At the end of the mission, before closing the hatch, the Shenzhou-19 crew expressed their joy at completing the mission and their gratitude to the ground team.

"Congratulations to 02 for completing your first spacewalk and moreover, for becoming the first Chinese astronaut born after 1990 to carry out EVAs. My appreciation also goes to the full collaboration of 03 inside the module, and to the extensive support of Shuguang and the entire technical team. From the assigned tasks to the more flexible assignments, we feel greater and greater confidence in conducting extravehicular activities. China's space station will always remain something to look forward to," said Cai, commander of Shenzhou-19 spaceflight mission crew.

"I express my gratitude to 01, Shuguang, and all the ground staff. Today, our crew and the ground team worked together to make the extravehicular activities a success. As I admired the spectacular view in space, I felt deep in my heart how important and great a cause the manned spaceflight is. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who dedicate themselves to this cause -- those who were here before us and who are with us along the way. Thank you all for your hard work, so that we were given the chance to conduct a spacewalk. The cause of the manned spaceflight is a relay race, and we are in it every step of the way. Let us keep striving and head for the future together," said Song.

"Congratulations to 01 and 02 for successfully completing your talks. Both of you made breakthroughs and I'm proud of your excellent performance. Meanwhile, my thanks also go to Shuguang and all the staff who worked day and night on this mission. Everybody up in space and on Earth work as one in our exploration and joint efforts for a promising tomorrow. I wish everyone sweet dreams tonight," Wang said.

China launched the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship on Oct 30, sending three astronauts -- including the country's first female space engineer -- to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission.

Baoshan launches initiatives to support underprivileged children

2024-12-18 06:05 Last Updated At：07:57

Baoshan, a city in southwest China's Yunnan Province, has implemented a raft of measures to ensure that disadvantaged children receive the care and support they need.

Home to about 41,900 vulnerable children, the city has recently inaugurated Baoshan Hanying Runze School, a model institution designed specifically for students facing difficult circumstances.

Founded in September, the school currently serves around 180 students from grades one to nine, most of whom come from underprivileged families.

"Most of our children lack parental care and family supervision. Here, our teachers are not only educators but also act as parents to the children. Each teacher looks after four to five students. During special holidays, we invite them to our homes," said Zhou Jie, the school's principal.

This unique brand of care permeates every corner of the school, where warmth and compassion define the environment.

"At this school, there's a warmth that feels like home - something I never experienced in my previous schools. The teachers are incredibly supportive, helping us in every aspect of our learning and daily lives," said Chen Zilin, a student.

The city's officials have also rolled out targeted assistance for impoverished families, ensuring their children's safety while offering essential livelihood support.

"Every three months, we visit the children to understand their needs, identify any challenges they face, and determine what kind of assistance is required," said Zhao Yankai, a staff member with the Jinji Township Government, under the jurisdiction of Baoshan City.

In addition, Baoshan has partnered with China Mobile, a major telecom provider, to create a special platform that enables young students at the school to video chat with their families while they board.