Figure 1: President Xi Jinping spoke with the Shenzhou 10 crew via two-way video link 

【BEIJING, June 24, CMSP News】Chinese President Xi Jinping came to the Beijing Aerospace Control Center(BACC) on June 24 and spoke with the three astronauts aboard the Tiangong-1 orbiter.

At first，President Xi Jinping extended his sincere greetings to the three astronauts，Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping.

“You’ve done a great job. The whole nation is concerned about you. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council, the Central Military Commission and people of all ethnic groups, I extend my sincere greetings to you.”

President Xi also asked about the astronauts’ work and life in space. Nie Haisheng, on behalf of the Shenzhou 10 crew, expressed their gratitude for President Xi’s concern, replying, “We are all in good condition and all the jobs are being carried out as scheduled. We are proud of being able to contribute to Chinese nation’s space dream. ”

President Xi expressed his concern about whether Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping are adapted to the space life as this is their first time in space. Zhang Xiaoguang reported to President Xi that having been in space for 13 days, they’ve adjusted quickly to the microgravity environment and are feeling well now. Wang Yaping said they are on good diet in space and that they can have 7-8 hours of sleep every day, adding that she has improved herself and learned a lot from the first space lesson delivered on June 20.

President Xi spoke highly of the space lesson, hoping it can spark the youth’s interest in learning science and exploring the unknown.

At the end of the call, President Xi praised the three astronauts’ spirit of being brave to explore in face of challenges, saying, “We are looking forward to your safe return and I’ll be waiting for you in Beijing.”

Finally, the three astronauts saluted and said goodbye to the president. (Translated by Yu Yanjuan)

Figure 2: The Shenzhou10 crew saluted