Congratulations! Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu were awarded the Space Merit Medal

CPC Central Committee State Council Central Military Commission

On the awarding of the "Second Class Space Merit Medal" to Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping

Ye Guangfu was awarded the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut"

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

(June 21, 2022)

On October 16, 2021, the Shenzhou-13 manned spacecraft was successfully launched. Astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu successfully entered the Tianhe core module on the spacecraft and successfully completed a series of innovative and groundbreaking scientific experiments and space application tasks represented by two extravehicular activities and two space lectures. They stayed in orbit for 6 months and returned safely on April 16, 2022. The Shenzhou-13 manned flight mission is the decisive final battle in the key technology verification phase of the space station. It achieved the first radial docking of a manned spacecraft to the space station, set a new record for the continuous in-orbit flight time of Chinese astronauts, and made major breakthroughs in many key core technologies, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent construction and operation of the space station. It marks a new step for China's aerospace industry to achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement, and accelerate the construction of a space power to achieve new breakthroughs. It is of great significance to enhance my country's comprehensive national strength and national cohesion, inspire the whole party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to unite as one, forge ahead, work together, create a better future, and continuously win new victories for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

The successful completion of the Shenzhou 13 manned flight mission is the result of the wisdom and hard work of the vast number of scientific and technological workers, astronauts, cadres and employees, and PLA officers and soldiers. Comrades Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping, and Ye Guangfu are outstanding representatives of this group. They are determined to serve the country, work together in unity, and show the world the strong Chinese spirit and strength. Comrade Zhai Zhigang has carried out two manned flight missions and served as the commander, and has performed three extravehicular activities, becoming the Chinese astronaut with the most extravehicular activities. Comrade Wang Yaping has fulfilled her dream of flying into space twice and stepped onto the "space podium" again, becoming China's first female astronaut to enter the space station and perform extravehicular activities. Comrade Ye Guangfu has undergone solid training and hard work, and was honored to be selected for the Shenzhou 13 crew, and successfully completed the mission. In order to commend their outstanding contributions to my country's manned space industry, the CPC Central Committee, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission decided to award Comrades Zhai Zhigang and Wang Yaping the "Second Class Space Merit Medal", and to award Comrade Ye Guangfu the honorary title of "Hero Astronaut" and the "Third Class Space Merit Medal".

Comrades Zhai Zhigang, Wang Yaping and Ye Guangfu 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 CPC 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 guidance, fully implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and the previous plenary sessions of the 19th CPC National Congress, take the commended astronauts as examples, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", strengthen the "four consciousnesses", strengthen the "four self-confidences", and achieve the "two safeguards", unite more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, forge ahead, work hard, and vigorously promote the spirit of the "two bombs and one satellite" and the spirit of manned space flight, welcome the successful convening of the 20th CPC National Congress with practical actions, and make unremitting efforts to achieve the second centenary goal and the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!

Source: Xinhua News Agency