Space medical test samples handed over to scientists after Shenzhou-19 return

Samples of medical experiments conducted onboard China's Tiangong space station were successfully handed over to scientists at the China Astronautic Scientific Research and Training Center in Beijing on Wednesday, after being brought back to Earth by the crew of the returning Shenzhou-19 mission earlier the same day.

The crew members touched down safely at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region around Wednesday lunchtime, after their return had been postponed by a day due to unfavorable weather conditions on the ground.

During their six-month stay in space, Shenzhou-19 mission commander Cai Xuzhe alongside young astronauts Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze -- who is also China's first female space engineer -- carried out an extensive series of scientific experiments and medical tests to assess the impact of space travel on human health and on other living organisms.

The handover includes medical experimental samples from the Shenzhou-19 mission, as well as the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft which docked with Tiangong in November, and from the recently-arrived Shenzhou-20 manned mission, whose crew have now taken over command of the space station.

With a total weight of 3.1 kilograms, the returned package contains 146 individual samples across five categories, namely blood, urine, feces, cells and microorganisms, all of which will support the implementation of 13 space medicine experiment projects in the space station.

In recent space missions, Chinese astronauts have conducted an array of application-oriented medical research aboard the space station, making many new discoveries on the effects of micro-gravity and radiation, space and traditional medicines.

Some research results have already been implemented to enhance the health of astronauts, helping future crews better endure the long stays in space.

Space medical test samples handed over to scientists after Shenzhou-19 return

Space medical test samples handed over to scientists after Shenzhou-19 return

Space medical test samples handed over to scientists after Shenzhou-19 return

President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung has expressed his hope that his upcoming visit to China will help eliminate past misunderstandings and issues, underscoring the importance of ties between the two countries.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lee will pay a state visit to China from Jan 4 to 7. It will be Lee's first visit to China since he took office.

In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Seoul on Wednesday, Lee acknowledged the existing misunderstandings and issues between the two countries, noting that addressing these issues is a key goal of his visit.

"The current international landscape is turbulent, with escalating issues among various countries. In this context, the relationship between the Republic of Korea and China holds significant importance for us. the ROK and China are deeply interconnected in many areas, including history, economy, geopolitics, politics and security. Northeast Asia's peace, stability, mutual respect, and common prosperity are crucial for both countries," said Lee.

"Admittedly, there have been some misunderstandings and issues between the ROK and China, which have hindered the development of bilateral relations to some extent. Therefore, the purpose of my upcoming visit to China is to minimize or eliminate these past issues, foster a leap in our bilateral relations to a new level, and solidify the ROK and China as partners that mutually support each other's development," he said.

ROK President hopes to reduce misunderstandings with China during upcoming visit