Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong comes out of return capsule

Chinese astronaut Song Lingdong, one of the three crew members of the Shenzhou-19 mission, has come out of the return capsule.

Song was the second of the Shenzhou-19 crew who emerged from the capsule after it touched down safely at the Dongfeng Landing Site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region at 13:08 on Wednesday (Beijing Time).

"At this moment, I feel incredibly proud, happy, and full of anticipation. We've transformed the dedication and hard work of all our researchers into scientific research achievements, and we are very proud of that. And we are very proud of the three extravehicular missions that we've completed successfully. It is a blessing to serve my country in space, and being down-to-earth is also a source of happiness. Very soon, I will reunite with the family I've missed day and night, as well as the comrades and colleagues who have stood by us through this entire journey. We are truly looking forward to that. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you. You've worked so hard! Next, I will promptly begin my post-mission recovery and adjust myself in time. I will be ready, as always, to dedicate my purest love to our motherland," said Song.

The Shenzhou-19 crew members were sent into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Oct 30, 2024. Prior to their return, the crew members had completed all planned tasks and handed over the space station to the Shenzhou-20 astronauts on Friday.

Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong comes out of return capsule

Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong comes out of return capsule

Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong comes out of return capsule

Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong comes out of return capsule

Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong comes out of return capsule

Shenzhou-19 astronaut Song Lingdong comes out of return capsule

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠China's natural gas production is projected to reach 300 billion cubic meters by 2030, according to a development report released in Beijing.

The report, covering the development of China's oil and gas industry during the country's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), said proven geological reserves rose by 7 billion tons of oil and 7 trillion cubic meters of gas, up 43 percent and 40 percent respectively from the previous five-year period. Oil and gas production hit record highs.

"The oil output is likely to reach between 215 and 216 million tons this year. Natural gas has seen major growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), with annual domestic output rising by nearly 13 billion cubic meters. In the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), we expect annual increases of more than 10 billion cubic meters, reaching 300 billion cubic meters around 2030," said Wu Mouyuan, deputy director of the Economics and Technology Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

The report forecast that China's energy structure will feature less coal, stable oil and gas, and rising non-fossil fuels over the next decade.

By 2060, fossil fuels are expected to account for 23 percent of the energy mix, hydropower and nuclear 19 percent, wind 25 percent, and solar 30 percent, the report said.

"In the next five years, through the integrated development of fossil energy and renewables, we will achieve a heathy, stable, and resilient energy system. Clean energy will continue to grow rapidly. More than 90 percent of renewable energy will be consumed via electricity, so the electrification at end-use sectors is a key direction of transformation in the future," said Wu.

With the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and new high-energy industries, China's power demand will exceed 20 trillion kilowatt hours by 2060, double the 2025 level. Electrification at end-use sectors is expected to reach 62 percent, rising by nearly one percentage point annually, the report projected.

China to see gas output hitting 300 bcm by 2030: report