Published : 03/07/2025
On July 3, 2003, after evaluation by the Astronaut Selection and Evaluation Committee of the Manned Space Programme, all 14 of China's astronauts were certified as capable of independently carrying out spaceflight missions, thus completing their training and qualifying as third-class astronauts.
From that point onwards, China had its first generation of astronauts.
In August 1995, China's Manned Space Programme Headquarters submitted a request to the the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Communist Party of China (CPC) regarding the selection of astronauts, suggesting the selection of astronaut candidates from active air force pilots.
In September of the same year, the CMC approved the proposal.
In October 1995, as per the instructions of the CMC, a leading group for the selection of astronaut candidates was jointly formed by the former Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Air Force, to conduct the initial selection of astronauts from air force pilots who met the basic conditions.
The basic selection criteria included: strong determination, dedication, and good interpersonal compatibility; height between 160 cm to 172 cm; weight between 55 kg to 70 kg, age between 25 to 35 years old;
qualification as a fighter jet or attack aircraft pilot with at least 600 cumulative flight hours; possessing at least a college-level education; excellent flight records with no classified accidents; no addiction to tobacco or alcohol; and a Class A physical examination rating for the past three consecutive years.
Among the thousands of pilots who met the basic conditions at that time, only more than 800 were selected to participate in the medical examinations.
After the medical examinations, 60 were selected to go to Beijing for inpatient clinical re-examination and special functional tests, and thereafter only 20 successfully passed multiple layers of tests.
Due to the limitation on the number of astronaut candidates, further selections were needed among the 20.
Eventually, after repeated research and selection by experts, 12 were recommended for admission as astronaut candidates, along with two other pilots who had previously been trained at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia, totalling 14 people.
In December 1997, with the approval of the CMC, the astronaut brigade of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China was officially established.
Due to the very limited number of astronauts selected through rigorous selection, the 14 people had to undergo several years of intense training to become qualified astronauts.
Their major training programmes included: basic theoretical training, physical training, psychological training, space environment endurance and adaptability training, professional technical training, flight procedure and mission simulation training, and survival and rescue training.
Each major programme included multiple items or even dozens of specific training items, which could be described as extremely rigorous.
Eventually, the 14 astronaut candidates successfully endured the arduous special training. On July 3, 2003, they became third-class astronauts capable of independently performing spaceflight missions.