Memorabilia of China's Tiangong space station development

Since the completion of its in-orbit construction, China's space station Tiangong has evolved into a national space laboratory and is currently the largest, long-term manned space research platform in the country's space exploration.

Below is a timeline highlighting the key milestones in the construction and operation of the space station:

April 2021: China launched the first section of the Tiangong space station - the Tianhe core module cabin.

May 2021: China launched the cargo spacecraft Tianzhou-2, the first cargo ship sent into space in the key-technology verification phase of the space station.

June 2021: China launched the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft, sending three astronauts into space, marking the first time Chinese people entered their own space station.

The Shenzhou-12 crew completed its first space station extravehicular activities during its three-month journey in orbit.

October 2021: China launched the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship.

During its six-month journey in orbit, the Shenzhou-13 crew conducted two extravehicular activities.

December 2021: The first live space class from the space station was held.

February 2022: Shenzhou-13 crew members became the first Chinese to spend the country's most important festival -- the Spring Festival -- in outer space.

June 2022: China launched the Shenzhou-14 manned spaceship.

July 2022: China launched Wentian, the first lab module of the space station.

September 2022: China's space station lab module Wentian completed in-orbit transposition.

The third live class from the space station was conducted by the Shenzhou-14 crew, marking the first science lecture from the Wentian.

July 2022: China launched the space lab module Mengtian, taking the construction of the country's space station Tiangong into final stage.

November 2022: Mengtian completed in-orbit transposition, marking the formation of the space station's basic T-shape configuration, representing a key step toward the completion of China's space station.

November 2022: China launched the Shenzhou-15 manned spaceship.

November 2022: The crew of Shenzhou-14 and three astronauts from Shenzhou-15 met at the space station, a historic gathering that marked the beginning of China's long-term presence aboard the station.

December 2022: China completed the construction of its space station.

May 2023: China launched the Shenzhou-16 manned spaceship.

September 2023: The fourth live class from the space station was held, during which a spherical flame experiment was conducted for the first time.

During its mission, the Shenzhou-16 crew conducted the first-ever radiation biology exposure experiment outside the space station.

October 2023: China launched the Shenzhou-17 manned spaceship.

November 2023: China released the first high-definition images of the completed space station.

During its mission, the Shenzhou-17 crew carried out the first-ever in-orbit maintenance of extravehicular facilities.

April 2024: China launched the Shenzhou-18 manned spaceship.

During its mission, the Shenzhou-18 crew conducted China's first in-orbit aquatic ecological research project.

October 2024: China launched the Shenzhou-19 manned spaceship.

December 2024: The Shenzhou-19 crew completed their first extravehicular activities.

Memorabilia of China's Tiangong space station development

Chinese medical teams arrived at a medical aid station in Amarapura, Mandalay, one of the worst-hit areas by the recent devastating earthquake in Myanmar, on Thursday, to offer medical consultations and treatment, and provide essential supplies to those affected by the disaster.

Mandalay in central Myanmar has been the hardest hit region after a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck the country last Friday, with 2,053 people killed, 2,691 others injured and 210 people still missing as of Thursday, state-run daily Myanma Alinn reported on Friday.

As of Thursday, the death toll across the country from the earthquake had risen to 3,145, with 4,589 others injured and 221 missing, the Myanmar Radio and Television reported.

"My father was already in poor health, and when the house collapsed, his feet were injured. He was then taken to the hospital for treatment. His back and chest were also injured. He also suffers from other health problems," said a local resident.

"Currently, the most common injuries we have treated here are external wounds and fractures. At present, many locals can only stay outdoors. With the disruption of water supply, there is a high risk of diarrhea. Dengue fever is another common disease that often emerges after such a disaster. There is a severe shortage of medicines, and we were unprepared with earthquake measures or stockpiled supplies. Anti-inflammatory medications are urgently needed for external wounds and fractures. Due to prolonged exposure to the intense heat, saline solutions and energy drinks are also required. Additionally, medicines to treat diarrhea are urgently needed," said a Myanmar nurse.

Following the devastating earthquake, multiple Chinese rescue teams have arrived in the disaster-stricken areas, working with local responders to carry out relief operations.

To address the shortage of medical supplies, Chinese medical teams have brought large amounts of essential medicines with them. Meanwhile, Chinese medical personnel are collaborating with local doctors to provide assistance to quake-affected people.

"We call this a mobile pharmacy. After the earthquake, people have dispersed to various areas, making it difficult for many to access government hospitals. Today, we are here at a small medical aid station where there is an urgent need for medicines. The demand for supplies varies across different hospitals and medical stations, with some requiring more orthopedic medications, while others need more internal medicine supplies. To address these varying needs, we developed this innovative model, allowing them to select the specific medicines they require," said Xue Yu, leader of a civil medical team from China.

"Our main focus is to provide technical guidance, including conducting medical rounds and offering services at temporary settlements. Local hospitals should also pay attention to hygiene issues, as outbreaks of diseases can occur after major disasters. Simply treating patients may not be enough; efforts must also be made to prevent and control issues such as water contamination or diseases spread by mosquitoes. These are challenges need to be addressed in the later stages," said Zhang Tao, an orthopedic trauma surgeon from Tianjin Hospital, China.

Chinese medical teams provide assistance for quake-affected people in Mandalay