In an out-of-this-world celebration, the Shenzhou-20 crew aboard China's space station beamed down heartfelt messages for International Children's Day, inspiring young minds across the globe. The astronauts marked the occasion as the Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP) convened their ninth national congress in Beijing, unfurling a CYP flag that had journeyed 400 kilometers above Earth.
Commander Chen Dong, a veteran of three space missions, shared how his childhood experience wearing the CYP red scarf shaped his ambitions: "That moment taught me to strive to be someone who contributes to society." Rookie astronauts Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie recounted their youthful fascination with space – from watching rocket launches on TV to finding motivation in the CYP anthem.
The crew's message coincided with landmark achievements: a record-breaking spacewalk just 28 days after arriving at the orbital station, and successful completion of scientific experiments following their handover from the Shenzhou-19 team. Their six-month mission represents China's continued progress in space exploration capabilities.
As children worldwide look to the stars, the astronauts' stories highlight how childhood curiosity can fuel extraordinary careers. Wang Jie emphasized: "We hope every child keeps that sense of wonder alive – the future of space exploration belongs to you."
