The Shenzhou-23 crew aboard China's orbiting space station completed their mission's first series of extravehicular activities on Friday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
The astronaut trio -- Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying -- worked for approximately 5.5 hours and completed their tasks at 13:59 Beijing time (0559 GMT), assisted by the space station's robotic arm and ground support teams. Zhu, who previously spacewalked three years ago, made his second excursion, while Zhang ventured outside for the first time.
Zhu and Zhang installed debris shields and repaired the station's solar panels, ensuring the safety and stability of its power supply, according to the CMSA. This is the second time Chinese astronauts have performed such in-orbit maintenance tasks.
The three astronauts were launched aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft on May 24 for an extended in-orbit mission.
Since arriving at the station, the crew has completed an in-orbit handover, deployed application payloads outside the station, and conducted rendezvous-and-docking drills, medical rescue exercises and full-system pressure emergency response drills, according to the agency.
Scientific experiments and technology tests in space life sciences, human research, microgravity physics and new space technologies are progressing steadily, the CMSA said.
In the coming months, they will carry out scientific experiments, technology tests, application payload deployments outside the station, and public outreach activities, the agency added.
Shenzhou-23 astronauts complete first series of extravehicular activities
Shenzhou-23 astronauts complete first series of extravehicular activities
Shenzhou-23 astronauts complete first series of extravehicular activities
A Chinese UN envoy urged Israel to withdraw from Syrian territory and respect its sovereignty after condemning Israeli attacks at a Security Council meeting Thursday.
Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the Golan Heights was internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory and that parties concerned must implement the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces.
"China condemns Israel's attacks on Syria and calls on all parties to genuinely respect Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. The Golan Heights is internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory. The parties concerned are obligated to implement the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian Forces. Israel should withdraw from Syrian territory as soon as possible," said Sun Lei.
The Security Council meeting addressed Syria's political transition and humanitarian situation, as the country experiences its largest voluntary return movement in more than a decade.
Nearly 2 million internally displaced Syrians and more than 1.7 million refugees have returned home since December 2024, according to United Nations figures, although humanitarian needs inside the country remain high.
Sun said Syria's transitional authorities should seize the opportunity to strengthen governance, pursue an inclusive political transition and accelerate economic reconstruction.
He said the process should be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, respect ethnic and religious differences, and protect the rights and interests of all groups equally.
Sun also said terrorism remained a major threat and urged Syria's transitional authorities to take firm action against all international terrorist organizations listed by the Security Council.
After more than a decade of conflict, Sun said Syrians did not want the country to be drawn back into war, adding that stability in Syria would help improve the broader situation in the Middle East.
China is ready to work with the international community to help Syria achieve security and development and promote an early return of peace and stability in the Middle East, he said.
Chinese envoy urges Israel to withdraw from Syrian territory
