Shenzhou-18 mission commander shares pride in pursuing spaceflight dream

China

Shenzhou-18 mission commander shares pride in pursuing spaceflight dream

2025-01-09 00:50 Last Updated At：09:07

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.

China's FTA partners reach 30: spokesman

2025-01-09 21:23 Last Updated At：21:37

China has signed 23 free trade agreements (FTAs) with 30 countries and regions so far, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said on Thursday.

The China-Maldives FTA took effect on Jan 1, with over 95 percent of products traded between the two countries now exempt from tariffs, MOC spokesman He Yadong said at a press conference in Beijing.

In terms of service trade, both sides have agreed to further open their service sectors. On investment, the two countries have granted each other national treatment and mutually committed to protecting two-way investments, according to the spokesman.

Additionally, the upgraded protocol of the China-Singapore FTA came into effect on Dec 31 last year. Both parties have committed to opening their manufacturing markets and expanding cooperation in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, He added.

"To date, China has signed 23 FTAs with 30 countries and regions across all five continents. The network of free trade agreements is continually expanding and deepening, with their scope and quality constantly enhanced. New areas, such as service trade, investment negative lists, standards cooperation, and the digital economy, have now become standard components of China's recently signed FTAs," said He.

Next, China will further expand its high-standard free trade network globally, and focus on effectively implementing existing agreements to deliver greater benefits to the people of China and its FTA partners, according to He.