Central of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, the Central Military Commission

Decision on awarding Ye Guangfu the "Second Class Medal of Space Merit" to Li Cong and Li Guangsu the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut" and the "Three-Class Aerospace Merit Medal"

(January 23, 2025)

On April 25, 2024, the Shenzhou No. 18 manned spacecraft was successfully launched. Astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu successfully entered Tianhe core cabin on a spacecraft, stayed in orbit for 6 months, carried out 2 outgoing activities, implemented 6 payload cargo airlock cabin entry and exit cabin tasks, completed more than 80 space station construction, upgrade, maintenance and maintenance tasks, carried out nearly 100 space science experiments and applied loads in orbit (test) tests, and returned safely on November 4, 2024. The Shenzhou 18 manned flight mission is the third manned flight mission in the space station application and development stage of my country's manned space project. It breaks the record of the continuous in-orbit flight time and single out-of-cabin activity time of a single mission of China's astronauts. It successfully completed my country's in-orbit aquatic ecological research project for the first time, and implemented the first international in-orbit study on plant stem tip stem cell function. It marks a new step in China's high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement. It is of great significance to enhance my country's comprehensive national strength and the cohesion of the Chinese nation, further enhance the national self-confidence and pride of all Chinese people, and inspire the whole party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to unite and forge ahead.

The complete success of the Shenzhou No. 18 manned flight mission embodies the wisdom and hard work of the vast number of scientific and technological workers, astronauts, cadres and staff, and PLA commanders and fighters. Comrades Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu are outstanding representatives. They are determined to serve the Party and the country, are enterprising, united and cooperated, and show the world the strong Chinese spirit and Chinese strength. Comrade Ye Guangfu went into space again after two years and served as the commander, becoming the first astronaut in my country to have a cumulative flight time of more than one year. Comrade Li Cong trained hard and worked hard, and was honored to be selected as the Shenzhou No. 18 crew and completed the task outstandingly. Comrade Li Guangsu was calm and courageous and brave enough to shoulder heavy responsibilities. He successfully completed the first installation task of space debris protection device in the space station for the first time after leaving the cabin. In order to commend their outstanding achievements in establishing my country's manned space aerospace industry, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission decided to award Comrade Ye Guangfu the "Second Level Aerospace Merit Medal", award Comrades Li Cong and Li Guangsu the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut" and the "Second Level Aerospace Merit Medal".

Comrades Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu are the pioneers of the times who never forget their original aspirations, keep their mission in mind, and devote themselves to their noble cause. They are models of exploring the universe, building dreams of space, and building a strong aerospace power. The Party Central Committee calls on the whole Party, the whole army and the people of all ethnic groups in the country to take Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as the guidance, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, take the commended astronauts as an example, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments", enhance the "four consciousnesses", firm up the "four self-confidences", and achieve the "two safeguards", and unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, vigorously carry forward the "two bombs and one satellite" spirit and the spirit of manned space flight, strive for progress, uphold the truth and innovate, continue to work hard and seize the momentum, and unite and strive for the comprehensive promotion of the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation with Chinese-style modernization!