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

President Xi Jinping's New Year Address has inspired officers and soldiers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to make greater contribution in building China into a great country and achieving national rejuvenation.

Xi delivered his annual New Year message which was broadcast by China Media Group and on various online platforms on Tuesday evening. In his speech, Xi reviewed China's achievements in various aspects in the past year and laid out the goals for the year ahead.

The year 2024 marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, also the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PLA Navy and the PLA Air Force.

President Xi's New Year message inspired PLA officers and soldiers to strive for new breakthroughs in the year of 2025.

"President Xi's New Year message is heartwarming and inspiring. As crew members of China's first domestically-made aircraft carrier the Shandong, we will always bear in mind President Xi's instructions, bravely shoulder responsibilities and face challenges in the new year, and we will continue to work hard for a more glorious future," said Zhao Kai, crew member of Shandong aircraft carrier.

"We will bear in mind our leader's expectations, show our loyalty to the Communist Party of China in our performance high in the sky, continuously improve our ability in the new era and forge a powerful iron fist to win in the air, and work harder to meet the centenary goal of the PLA," said Wan Yiming, an officer of the PLA Air Force.

"We will vigorously promote combat training and joint drills, explore the use of new types of combat forces in new areas, and devote ourselves earnestly to the great practice of realizing the dream of building a strong military," said Wang Wei, soldier of the PLA ground force.

"We will always bear in mind our responsibilities and missions, master the use of weapons and equipment, constantly innovate tactics and training methods, and work hard in our training," said Zhao Jiayu, a soldier of the PLA rocket force.

"I will be a good successor of the 'Old Xizang Spirit', take root in the frontier, make progress with a firm will, stay vigilant at all times, strengthen my ability and be a loyal defender of the motherland's border," said Wang Qinming, a soldier stationed in Xizang Autonomous Region.

After listening to President Xi's New Year message, China's armed police officers also reiterated their commitment to safeguarding the motherland.

"Dreams and wishes may be far, but they can be fulfilled with dedicated pursuit. These words deeply inspired me. As officers working on the forefront, we must work hard, live up to our responsibilities, and bravely face all difficulties," said Wu Haofei, an armed policeman stationed in east China's Jiangxi Province, citing President Xi's words in his address. "In the new year, we must have a sense of urgency that time waits for none, focus on our main responsibilities, and be well prepared for real combat. We will strive to build a strong and capable troop that dares to fight and win," said Lin Xicai, a PLA ground force officer.

Xi's 2025 New Year address inspires PLA officers, soldiers