Visiting astronauts inspire Namibian youngsters

Tiangong-1 was China's experimental space lab and a pioneer of China's ambitions to develop future space stations. Launched in 2011, the lab ended its service in March 2016.

It made an important contribution to China's manned space program, paving the way for China to become the third country in the world to operate a permanent space station by 2022.

Cleophas Mutjavikua, governor of Erongo region, welcomed the Chinese astronauts and said that Namibia was linked to space by this tracking station.

The students toured the Space TT&C Station and visited the China Aerospace Science and Technology Exhibition.

"It's amazing. As long as we work hard, we will be able to realize our dreams," Tjimune said.

Zhang said the Chinese delegation received a warm welcome from their Namibian friends, adding that their trip to the country was a landmark event in the friendly exchanges between the two countries.

"In 2010, the first Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei visited Namibia. This is the second visit by Chinese astronauts to Namibia, highlighting the special relationship of our two countries and the great importance China attaches to our cooperation," the ambassador said.

"China and Namibia continue to cooperate in the fields of aerospace on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. China's aerospace development cannot be separated from the support of Namibia. The visit will further strengthen the friendship between the two countries and two peoples," he added.