Chongqing - Yang Liwei, China's pioneer astronaut who was the first to journey into space, returned to his pilot roots at the 2023 China Aerospace Education Conference in Chongqing on August 10.
"Every time I come to Chongqing, I can witness and feel the city's transformation. Beyond economic and technological advancements, a tangible urban evolution consistently surprises me," Yang remarked.
Yang Liwei appeared at the opening ceremony and accepted the interview after. (Photo/Chongqing Daily)
Six years with 1350 hours of flight time
The conference marked his homecoming to the city, where he served as a pilot for six years before his historic spaceflight.
In 1998, Yang was selected as one of China's inaugural group of astronauts. In the six years preceding this milestone, Yang had been stationed as a PLA Air Force pilot at the air base in Liangping, Chongqing.
During his tenure in Liangping, Yang accumulated an impressive 1350 hours of flight time and maintained peak physical condition through rigorous training. This phase of his life in Liangping was pivotal in his subsequent selection as an astronaut. Following his successful mission aboard Shenzhou V, Yang made multiple visits to Chongqing to partake in space-related events.
Two primary school students experience the C919 simulation cockpit at the exhibition. (Photo/Chinanews.com)
China demands a higher caliber of aerospace talent
The 2023 China Aerospace Education Conference primarily targets young minds, utilizing exhibitions, lectures, and other interactive formats to impart knowledge about aviation and space. Regarding this endeavor, Yang expressed that China's aerospace industry has been evolving rapidly, demanding a higher caliber of aerospace talent.
"The Shenzhou XVI mission, for instance, accommodates engineers and scientists in space. With China's space projects now transitioning to the operational phase of space stations, substantial scientific research can be conducted up there," Yang said.
For the youth aspiring to contribute to the aerospace sector, Yang conveyed that solid academic grounding is vital apart from cultivating a passion for space technology through aerospace education. Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of well-rounded development encompassing both physical and psychological prowess.
Concurrently, the seventh National Youth Drone Competition is being held in Chongqing, with participation from 14,985 contestants, 468 professional judges, nearly 1,000 education department leaders, school principals, science teachers, and youth aerospace education experts from 30 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions.
The event witnesses the attendance of 11 leading enterprises in the drone education sector and close to 20 aerospace education equipment manufacturers.
The Chongqing municipal government is actively propelling the high-quality development of the aerospace industry, with a focal point on advancing satellite internet technology. In February this year, the government outlined its ambitions to establish a national-level satellite internet industry innovation center by 2025 and to construct a satellite internet comprehensive application demonstration area by 2030.