China is set to make new breakthroughs in space exploration in the near future, said leading researchers at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).
Among the most critical space missions scheduled this year and next, China will launch its latest lunar probe and its Hubble-class Xuntian Space Telescope, as well as hundreds of satellites to support its Guowang broadband constellation.
"This year, we will send the Chang'e-7 probe to the Moon. There will be another space station mission next year, which might be the most valuable space station project in the history of science, and it will be launched by the Long March-5B rocket," said rocket designer Feng Shaowei from China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology of the CASC.
Chang'e-7 will explore the Moon's south pole, focusing on locating water ice and other resources in anticipation of a crewed lunar landing in the future.
Meanwhile, China's Tiangong space station will continue to carry out its wide-ranging experimental research, both inside the station's laboratories and outside its walls, with the use of robotic arms. These arms are often used for research in exposing materials to space, but increasingly, they are also used to carry out complex logistical tasks, from collecting space cargo crafts to rearranging the station's solar arrays.
"In the future, our space station may see the addition of more modules to expand our application capabilities. At the same time, we will enhance the capabilities of our robotic arms, enabling them to perform even more complex tasks," said Hou Yongqing, a space station systems expert from China Academy of Space Technology of the CASC.
According to these aerospace scientists, the coming years could even see China become the second country ever to put astronauts on the moon.
"One thing we look forward to is seeing the new generation of crewed spacecraft flying into space, building a brand-new round-trip transportation platform between Earth and space for astronauts. Our manned lunar exploration project has also been making steady progress in recent years. In the near future, we will witness the footprints of the Chinese people left on the lunar surface," said Shao Limin, an expert in crewed spacecraft systems of China Academy of Space Technology.
Beyond advancing our understanding of the solar system, China's space programs are also highly consequential for life on Earth. The country's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, for instance, is increasingly used in the development of emerging industries.
"The goals for the next generation of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System are very clear. First, we will further improve the accuracy of positioning services to meet the demands of artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and other future technologies. Second, we aim to lower the barrier for users accessing the system, making it more cost-effective and efficient," said Xie Jun, a satellite navigation system expert from the academy.
China to make new breakthroughs in space exploration in 2026: aerospace scientists
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, said on Monday that the relationship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) stands at a new historical starting point.
Xi arrived in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang earlier on Monday to begin a two-day state visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, marking his first trip to the country in seven years.
Delivering a speech at a welcome banquet hosted by Kim, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, have seen their traditional friendship passed down across generations and grow ever stronger over time through the test of the evolving international landscape.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, and the China-DPRK relationship stands at a new historical starting point, Xi said, noting that he has reached important consensus with Kim during his visit.
From the strategic perspective of the future and destiny of socialism, both leaders have agreed to seize the general trend of the times, respond to the shared aspirations of the two peoples, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds, promote the high-level development of China-DPRK relations, jointly open up brighter prospects for the socialist cause of both countries, and contribute to the continuous progress of human society, Xi said.
The successful convening of the Ninth Congress of the WPK this year has made strategic plans and major arrangements for the long-term development of the Party and the country's cause, ushering in a new period of comprehensive development of the DPRK's socialist cause, Xi said.
As good neighbors, good friends and good comrades, the Chinese side sincerely wishes that, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim, the DPRK people will successfully accomplish the goals and tasks set by the Ninth Congress of the WPK and make constant new achievements in the socialist cause of the DPRK, Xi said.
On behalf of the WPK, the government and the people of the DPRK, Kim extended the warmest welcome to Xi on his visit. Kim said that Pyongyang was filled with an atmosphere of friendship on this special day as the DPRK's Party, government and people warmly welcomed their most distinguished guest.
Noting that Xi's first overseas trip of the year had brought him to the DPRK, Kim said this fully demonstrated the great importance Xi attached to developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, and constituted the most valuable support for the DPRK's socialist cause.
Noting the meeting with Xi came nine months after their previous meeting, Kim said that during this meeting, they reached important consensus on further advancing DPRK-China relations with new contemporary connotations in light of new changing circumstances, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, which will surely accelerate the development of the DPRK-China friendship with profound historical traditions, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.
The DPRK people take heartfelt joy in the remarkable achievements made by the brotherly Chinese people, Kim said, expressing belief that under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at its core, the great Chinese people will surely create greater achievements in building a great modern socialist country in all respects, realizing the Second Centenary Goal, and completing the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Xi says China-DPRK ties stand at new historical starting point
