'We'll take care of China's space station': in-orbit Shenzhou-17 crew

Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, will take good care of China's space station and build it a good Chinese space home with a persevering and persistent spirit, said the Shenzhou-17 crew after watching President Xi Jinping's 2024 New Year message in orbit on Sunday.

As the Shenzhou manned missions were mentioned in the New Year message, Tang Hongbo, commander of the Shenzhou-17 mission, said he felt their mission is glorious while responsibility is great.

We'll strive to go further with the spirit of continuous self-improvement, and maintain and build the Chinese people's space home well, to contribute more and better Chinese experience to the great cause of human exploration of space, said Tang.

During their stay in the space station for over two months, the trio have conducted tasks including platform maintenance, scientific experiments and repairing solar panels on the core module during their first extravehicular activities, said crew member Tang Shengjie.

A series of missions are planned in the coming months. "I will continue to make unremitting efforts to contribute to the application and development of China's space station," said Tang.

"Our work at the space station is fruitful, orderly and our life safe and comfortable, all thanks to our strong motherland," said crew member Jiang Xinlin.

Jiang said with the upcoming visit of Tianzhou-7 cargo spacecraft, he is "full of expectations" for the future life in space, and the crew will work together to take good care of the space station.