Liu Yang, China's first female taikonaut and a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's highest organ of state power, has shared her feelings about the achievements and continued progress of the country's space program.
In a recent interview held on the sidelines of an annual session of the NPC in Beijing, Liu, one of the three crew members of the Shenzhou-14 mission in 2022, shared her proud and fulfilling experience as a Chinese astronaut. She highlighted the values encapsulated by the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" spirit, which has been demonstrated by previous generations of Chinese aerospace researchers in achieving milestones amid challenging times.
The "Two Bombs, One Satellite" program refers to China's first atomic bomb, intercontinental ballistic missile, and satellite. In the 1960s and 1970s, more than 17,000 researchers from over 40 institutions under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) dedicated themselves to the program to advance the aerospace development in the country.
"The spirit of 'Two Bombs, One Satellite' is the essence originating from the struggles and efforts of the earlier generation of Chinese aerospace pioneers. Throughout my own career in the aerospace field, we've faced many challenges and obstacles. The dedication and perseverance of all my fellow aerospace workers are a reflection, inheritance and promotion of this spirit," said Liu.
As China plans to carry out a manned lunar landing by 2030, Liu hopes she could return to space and make more contributions to the space program.
"By 2030, we will embark on a manned lunar landing mission, which is both a challenge and an opportunity for us astronauts. I believe it's a dream for every Chinese astronaut. From the first batch to the newly inducted fourth batch of astronauts, we're all actively preparing and training for the future space station and lunar landing missions," she said.
For Liu, both her own participation in spaceflight missions and witnessing others complete their own missions bring her happiness.
"For me, there are two moments of pure happiness. One is when I put on the spacesuit and embark on a mission to space for my country. The other is when I welcome my fellow astronauts back after their successful missions. Seeing them return safely also brings me a unique kind of happiness," she added.
China's first female astronaut on achievements of country's space program
An industry observer said that 2026 is poised to be a "year of sequels and cultural stories" in global animation, following a strong 2025 where such films dominated box offices worldwide.
With heavyweights like Toy Story 5, Minions 3, and China's perennial favorite Boonie Bears set for release, along with culturally rooted productions such as The Three Kingdoms: War 1 Luoyang, the coming months are expected to draw large audiences and reinforce animation's central role in cinema.
This optimism is built on a solid foundation from the previous year.
Looking back at China's film market in 2025, animated features emerged as a powerful driving force. Four of the year's top 10 highest-grossing films were animations, three of which were domestic productions.
Total animation revenue exceeded 25 billion yuan (around 3.58 billion U.S. dollars), capturing nearly 50 percent of the annual box office. As the new year unfolds, the animation sector continues to shine with promising highlights.
A key trend driving this momentum is the surge of sequels from major franchises.
"One notable trend is the abundance of sequels to classic animated films, particularly from Hollywood. Several iconic series are releasing new installments, making 2026 a year of animated sequels. Given their strong IP foundation, these sequels are expected to attract more audiences' attention and achieve solid box office results," said Hu Jianli, secretary general of the Chinese Film Critics Society.
Alongside these international sequels, domestic animation IPs are also deepening their influence and expanding their reach. The annual Boonie Bears series will welcome its latest installment, while the popular TV series The Immortal Ascension is set for its big-screen debut.
"It's fair to say that the Boonie Bears series has maintained the most consistent quality among domestic animated film franchises over the years. Its expansion from television to movies, merchandise, and theme parks represents a fully developed industrial chain, greatly strengthening the IP's presence in the public consciousness. As for The Immortal Ascension, it's the first time that the animation IP is adapted for the big screen, which naturally generates exceptional attention—especially following the successful live-action web series last year. If this first animated film adaptation succeeds, it has the potential to become a major film IP in its own right," said Hu.
Beyond the reliance on established franchises, another significant creative trend is the growing number of animated films drawing inspiration from China's rich classical literature and historical epics. This approach aims to connect with audiences through deeply rooted cultural narratives.
A leading example is a prominent Chinese animation studio Light Chaser Animation's upcoming "The Three Kingdoms: War 1 Luoyang", which dramatizes the early power struggles from the famed historical period.
"We are seeing a clear increase in animated films adapted from classic Chinese novels and myths. Light Chaser Animation Studios' 'New Culture Series' has performed exceptionally well in our animated film market—for example, 30,000 Miles from Changan earned over 1.8 billion yuan (around 257.98 million U.S. dollars) at the box office. This series has truly succeeded in creatively transforming and innovatively developing China's outstanding traditional culture for the big screen, while also resonating emotionally with today's young audiences through its storytelling and character adaptations," said Hu.
Beyond sequels and adaptations rooted in traditional culture, original animated films are also carving out their space with unique concepts and distinctive styles, showcasing further creative possibilities.
Titles such as Arco, a 2025 animated science-fantasy film, and Pixar's Hoppers exemplify this trend of innovation.
"I believe animated films will remain a major force in the global box office in 2026. The worldwide top-grossing film of 2024 was Inside Out 2, and in 2025 it was China's Ne Zha 2. So I'm confident that animated films will once again rank among the highest-grossing releases globally this year," Hu said.
Animated films set to dominate 2026 global box office with strong lineup
