I feel privileged to have witnessed history being made

In my time as a reporter, I have met and interviewed many people.

I don't become emotional easily. However, every time I witness, either on a screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center or on TV at home, Chinese astronauts salute as the rocket carrying them thunders away from the launchpad and flies toward the skies, I feel my heart beat faster and my eyes begin to moisten.

This is partly a result of empathy - the sight of the astronauts soaring off into outer space imparts the illusion that I am setting off on a celestial expedition with them - and partly because I know that these men and women are about to brave countless risks to explore a little-known part of the universe for the benefit of all mankind.