IN BRIEF (Page 4)

BEIJING

Astronauts awarded for contribution

Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, the astronauts who took part in the Shenzhou XI mission, have been awarded medals for their service to China's space endeavors. Jing, the mission commander, was awarded with a first-class aerospace achievement medal, while Chen, the first male from the second generation of Chinese astronauts to make it into space, was given a third-class medal and the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut". The decision was made on Monday by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission, according to an official statement.