Visiting Chinese astronauts inspire Namibian students

"Who is the first astronaut in space? Who is the first astronaut landing on the moon? Who is the first Chinese astronaut?" the students were visibly excited, uttering the questions.

Visiting Chinese astronaut Chen Dong interacts with local students at Namibia's Space TT&C Station in Swakopmund on Monday, August 19, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

The scene was at an aerospace science and technology interactive event with visiting Chinese astronauts on Monday at Namibia's Space TT&C Station in the coastal town of Swakopmund.

Metumu Nomvula Tjimune, a grade 12 student of Westside High School, said she was very pleased to see the astronauts from China.

"I like Liu Yang. Being a lady, she can do as good as males. She shows what she can do, which means we can make it," Tjimune said.

Liu Yang, China's first female astronaut in space, and her colleague Chen Dong arrived in Namibia's port town of Walvis Bay on Monday, starting their five-day visit to the southern African nation at the invitation of President Hage Geingob.

Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming said the visit aims to enhance communication and cooperation on astronautics between China and Namibia.

Chinese astronauts visit Namibia on Monday, August 19, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Zhang said that during the Namibian president's state visit to China last year, Geingob had visited the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, interacted with three Chinese astronauts and invited Chinese astronauts to visit Namibia.

"During the visit, the delegation will pay a courtesy call to President Geingob, meet local middle school learners at Space TT&C Station, and communicate with students face-to-face at the Namibia University of Science and Technology," according to Zhang.

Though it's her first time to visit Namibia, Liu said she is not a stranger here.

"When I was staying in Tiangong-1, I flew over Namibia many times. I know there is a Space TT&C Station based here, and I come here with gratitude," said Liu.

Tiangong-1 was China's experimental space lab, and was known as a pioneer of China's future space station. Launched in 2011, the lab ended its data service in March 2016. It has made important contributions to China's manned space cause, paving the way for China to become the third country in the world to operate a permanent space station around 2022.

Chinese astronauts visit Namibia on Monday, August 19, 2019. [Photo: China Plus]

Cleophas Mutjavikua, governor of Erongo region, welcomed the Chinese astronauts, saying Namibia was linked to the space from this tracking station.

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

"It's amazing. As long as we work hard, we can also realize our dreams," Tjimune said.

Zhang said the Chinese delegation's visit to Namibia has received warm welcome from Namibian friends, adding that their trip to Namibia will become a landmark event of friendly exchanges between the two countries.

"In 2010, the first Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei visited Namibia. This will be the second visit of 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 keep good cooperation in the fields of aerospace on the basis of equality and mutual benefits. 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.