BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday congratulated the complete success of the Chang’e-6 mission which brought back the world’s first samples collected from the far side of the Moon.
On behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State Council and the Central Military Commission (CMC), Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the CMC, addressed a message of warm congratulations and sincere greetings to the Chang’e-6 Mission Center, and to all those who participated in the mission.
The return capsule of the Chang’e-6 probe, carrying the lunar samples, landed at 2:07 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, precisely in the Siziwang Banner designated area, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. ).
For the first time in human history, the Chang’e-6 probe collected samples from the far side of the Moon and returned them to Earth, marking a new milestone in China’s efforts to become a power in space, science and technology, Xi said.
Over the past 20 years, everyone involved in the lunar exploration project has reached the pinnacle of science and technology, and made remarkable achievements that have attracted worldwide attention, Xi noted.
“The exceptional contributions you have made will forever be remembered by the country and the people,” he said.
Xi called for careful research on lunar samples, continuing the implementation of the country’s major space projects, including deep space exploration, and promoting international exchanges and cooperation.
He also emphasized efforts to make new contributions to discovering the mysteries of the universe, promoting the welfare of humanity, and building a great country and to the advancement of national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, observed the landing and recovery of the Chang’e-6 probe return capsule at the Aerospace Control Center from Beijing.
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, read Xi’s congratulatory message at the center.
Launched on May 3, the Chang’e-6 mission completed 11 flight stages in 53 days. It has achieved key technological breakthroughs in areas such as retrograde lunar orbit design and flight control, intelligent and rapid sampling, and takeoff and ascent from the far side of the Moon.
Carrying four international payloads, the Chang’e-6 probe also facilitated convenient and efficient international cooperation.■
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