China holds ceremony to honor Shenzhou XVIII, Shenzhou XIX astronauts

BEIJING -- An awards ceremony for the astronauts of China's Shenzhou XVIII and Shenzhou XIX spaceflight missions was held in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhang Youxia, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, presented medals and certificates to Shenzhou XVIII astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong and Li Guangsu, and to Shenzhou XIX astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze.

In January 2025, Ye Guangfu was honored with a second-class aerospace achievement medal, and Li Cong and Li Guangsu were awarded third-class medals and the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut."

In July, Cai Xuzhe was honored with a second-class medal, and Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze were bestowed third-class medals and the "Heroic Astronaut" honorary title.