Shenzhou-18 mission commander shares pride in pursuing spaceflight dream

Shenzhou-18 mission commander Ye Guangfu, who set a new record after becoming the first Chinese astronaut to spend more than a year in orbit during his two space missions, shared his pride in carrying out another "sacred mission" while pursuing his spaceflight dreams.

After completing a 192-day stay in space as part of the Shenzhou-18 crew, Ye has now spent a cumulative total of 375 days in orbit - the most for any Chinese astronaut.

Meeting the press in Beijing on Wednesday with the other two Shenzhou-18 crew members, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, Ye reflected on the changes he has observed in China's space program.

"The first change for me is transitioning from exploration to coming home, feeling more warmth and inner peace. The Shenzhou-13 mission marked my initial venture and exploration into space, which filled me with excitement and pride. However, the Shenzhou-18 mission felt more like returning home, back to our space home, with familiar surroundings and a comforting sense of family," said Ye. Ye also highlighted the evolution of the space station itself.

"The second change is our space home's expansion from a single module to a three-module configuration. The environment is more comfortable, but the tasks are more complex. Compared to my previous mission, this one operated in a fully configured, full-mission mode. The module structure, the interior environment, the in-orbit tasks, and the mission modes have all seen significant expansion and improvement. The space station is larger, the environment more comfortable, and there are more opportunities and platforms for scientific experiments," he said.

Reflecting on his personal growth, Ye added, "The third change is my role, from the No.3 astronaut to the commander of Shenzhou-18. The role has shifted, and the responsibility is greater."

Despite these changes, some things remained constant, said Ye.

"What hasn't changed, I believe, is the sacred mission we shoulder, our solemn commitment to the space program, and our unwavering pursuit of the dream of spaceflight," Ye stressed.

Shenzhou-18 mission commander shares pride in pursuing spaceflight dream

Shenzhou-18 mission commander shares pride of pursuing spaceflight dream

Some shopping malls integrated technology and immersive devices into their buildings during the just-concluded three-day Qingming holiday, providing visitors with brand-new experiences.

Various high-tech and innovative devices, including artificial intelligence (AI), 3D digital images, and VR shows, enhanced visitors' experience and added fun to their holiday life.

In Shanghai, Bingang Commercial Center introduced a variety of immersive entertainment options to transform traditional shopping into a culturally rich and interactive experience.

"Technology empowers culture. We have introduced over 20 different types of entertainments. We hope to create a destination that promotes consumption through the combination of different entertainment types with cultural elements in them," said Wu Jiuying, promotion manager of Shanghai Bingang Commercial Center.

The rise of immersive, tech-enhanced experiences in shopping malls reflects a broader enthusiasm for entertainment during the Qingming holiday.

Beyond in-person attractions, traditional forms of leisure like movie-going also saw a strong resurgence, with cinemas across the country drawing large crowds and generating impressive box office numbers.

China's box office revenue for the three-day Qingming Festival holiday that started on Friday, including pre-sales, had exceeded 370 million yuan (50.8 million U.S. dollars) as of 20:01 on Sunday, according to box office tracker Dengta Data.

The Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, traditionally falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox. It is a traditional Chinese festival focusing on paying tribute to the dead and the worship of ancestors. It is also customary to enjoy outdoor activities and sightseeing during the festival.

High-tech-empowered entertainment projects boost consumption during Qingming holiday