Congratulations to Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe!

CPC Central Committee State Council Central Military Commission

On the awarding of the "Second Class Aerospace Merit Medal" to Chen Dong and Liu Yang

Cai Xuzhe was awarded the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut"

The decision to award the "Third Class Space Merit Medal"

(March 3, 2023)

On June 5, 2022, the Shenzhou 14 manned spacecraft was successfully launched. Astronauts Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe successfully entered the Tianhe core module on the spacecraft and stayed in orbit for 6 months. They conducted three extravehicular activities, completed the installation and debugging of internal and external equipment of the space station and facilities and equipment related to space application missions, carried out a series of space science experiments and technical tests, and returned safely on December 4, 2022. The Shenzhou 14 manned flight mission is the most complex, technically difficult and labor-intensive manned flight mission since the in-orbit construction of the space station. It is the first time that two manned spacecraft were in orbit at the same time and two groups of astronauts were rotated in orbit. It set the world record for the fastest rendezvous and docking of a cargo spacecraft with a space station and a new Chinese record for three extravehicular activities in a single manned flight mission. It has laid a solid foundation for the subsequent construction and operation of the space station. It marks a new step in China's aerospace industry to be self-reliant and self-improvement in high-level science and technology, and a new breakthrough in accelerating the construction of a space power. It is of great significance to enhance our country's comprehensive national strength and national cohesion, and to inspire the whole Party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to be confident and self-reliant, uphold the truth and seek innovation, forge ahead courageously, and continuously win new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The successful completion of the Shenzhou XIV manned flight mission embodies the wisdom and hard work of the vast number of scientific and technological workers, astronauts, cadres and employees, and PLA officers and soldiers. Comrades Chen Dong, Liu Yang, and Cai Xuzhe are outstanding representatives among them. They are determined to serve the country, unite and cooperate, and show the world the strong Chinese spirit and Chinese strength. Comrade Chen Dong has carried out manned flight missions twice and became the first Chinese astronaut to spend more than 200 days in orbit. Comrade Liu Yang is the first female astronaut in my country to enter space. This time she will take on the important task and make contributions to space. Comrade Cai Xuzhe has solid training and hard work, and was gloriously selected for the Shenzhou XIV crew and successfully completed the task. In order to commend their outstanding contributions to my country's manned spaceflight industry, the CPC Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission decided to award Comrades Chen Dong and Liu Yang the "Second Class Space Merit Medal", and to award Comrade Cai Xuzhe the honorary title of "Hero Astronaut" and the "Third Class Space Merit Medal".

Comrades Chen Dong, Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe are pioneers of the times who have never forgotten their original aspirations, kept their missions in mind and devoted themselves to the noble cause. They are role models for exploring the universe, building dreams in space and building a space power. The Party Central Committee calls on the whole Party, the whole army and people of all ethnic groups across the country to take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guide, comprehensively study, comprehensively grasp and comprehensively implement the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, take the commended astronauts as examples, closely unite around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, deeply understand the decisive significance of "two establishments", enhance the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", and achieve "two safeguards", strengthen confidence, work together, work hard and forge ahead, vigorously carry forward the spirit of "two bombs and one satellite" and the spirit of manned space flight, and make new contributions to the comprehensive construction of a modern socialist country and the comprehensive promotion of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Editors: Zhou Zhe, Wu Yue, Lang Tian