Shenzhou-21 crew continues with science experiments, life in orbit

China's Shenzhou-21 astronauts have steadily advanced scientific experiments in several fields aboard the Tiangong space station over the past week.

The crew consists of mission commander Zhang Lu and astronauts Wu Fei and Zhang Hongzhang. They have been in orbit for nearly 80 days, and are all in good condition.

Over the past week, the astronauts engaged in close interaction with their old friend aboard the space station - the intelligent robot "Xiaohang". They conducted multiple tests, including touch interaction and autonomous flight, and collected data for future optimization of the robot's orbital motion behaviors.

In space medicine, the crew used a space-based Raman spectrometer to analyze metabolic components in urine samples. The collected data will be used to further refine and improve the indicator system and evaluation criteria of the relevant metabolite.

The crew collected saliva samples for studies on astronauts' impact on microbial populations within the space station environment. The samples will be tested after the crew returns to Earth.

They completed sample collection and storage for a research project investigating the relationship between the origin of the genetic code and chirality in space environments. The project aims to explore the patterns of chiral combinations between amino acids and nucleosides.

In the field of microgravity physics, the astronauts continued in situ electrochemical optical experiments on lithium-ion batteries for space applications.

Additionally, the crew completed the replacement of the sampling cover in the combustion science experiment cabinet, the disassembly and reassembly of experimental modules, and the replacement of experimental samples in the fluid physics experiment cabinet.

The system-wide pressure emergency drill was conducted as scheduled. The exercise simulated the entire emergency response process when the space station faced an internal depressurization scenario, consolidating and further enhancing the astronauts' emergency response capabilities and ground-space coordination skills.

Medical examinations, such as hearing tests, were conducted as scheduled, and physical activities, such as running, were carried out regularly.

Shenzhou-21 crew continues with science experiments, life in orbit

South China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the world's largest FTP by area, is in smooth and orderly operations one month into the launch of its special customs operations.

The island has seen an increase in both the value of imports of zero-tariff goods and the number of foreign trade entities since Dec 18.

According to the Haikou Customs, from Dec. 18, 2025 to Jan. 17, 2026, the value of "first line" imported zero-tariff goods was 750 million yuan (about 107 million U.S. dollars); the value of processed and value-added goods sold domestically through the "second line" was about 85.9 million yuan.

Meanwhile, a total of 5,132 new foreign trade entities were registered in this period.

In addition, the duty-free sales supervised by customs reached 4.86 billion yuan, up 46.8 percent year on year, and the number of shoppers rose 30.2 percent year on year to 745,000, showing sustained strong consumption vitality.

To better meet the diverse needs of tourists, Hainan's duty-free policy ushered in a new round of adjustments on Nov. 1, 2025. The categories of duty-free goods increased from 45 to 47, and the beneficiary range was expanded to include outbound travelers, attracting more international tourists to duty-free shopping.

On Dec. 18 last year, China launched island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan FTP, allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage, and introducing more business-friendly measures.

One notable special customs policy is offering "freer access at the first line," referring to freer trade between Hainan and areas outside China's customs borders, and "regulated access at the second line," which involves applying standard customs controls for goods moving from Hainan to the mainland.

China's Hainan FTP sees early gains from island-wide special customs operations