Yesterday, Chinese leaders awarded medals and honors to two astronauts who completed a 5-day mission in orbit aboard the Shenzhou VI spacecraft, celebrating their contributions that brought glory to the nation.
The medals and certificates of honor were presented by President Hu Jintao to astronauts Nie Haisheng and Fei Junlong, who were dressed in blue uniforms, during a ceremony marking the success of the Shenzhou VI mission held in Beijing.
The title of “Heroic Astronaut” and the medal for “Outstanding Achievement in Space Flight” were awarded to the two astronauts for their exemplary completion of a mission involving multiple crew members over several days, contributing to China’s early space exploration efforts.
Earlier, Premier Wen Jiabao read the decision made by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission to honor the two astronauts.
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A large crowd gathered at the ceremony honoring the two astronauts | President Hu Jintao with astronauts Nie Haisheng and Fei Junlong |
Premier Wen highlighted that the success of the Shenzhou VI mission demonstrated China’s immense creativity and innovation. He stated that this mission significantly enhanced the country’s image on the global stage and contributed to the advancement of science and technology.
Approximately 3,000 people attended the ceremony, including many senior leaders from the Party, the state, and the military of China.
Previously, in October 2003, astronaut Yang Liwei spent 21 hours in space aboard Shenzhou V over two days, becoming the first Chinese citizen to reach space, and this mission made China the third nation in the world, after the United States and the former Soviet Union, to achieve such a milestone.
T.VY
