Photo shows the site of the 2025 "China Space Day" Science Education Activity Series in Yunnan.

Under the guidance of the News Office of the China National Space Administration (CNSA) and supported by the Popular Science Fund of the China Foundation for Human Rights Development (CFHRD), educational activities were held to mark the 10th China Space Day in Kunming, Yunnan Province on April 24.

Sponsored by the Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Defense Science, Technology, and Industry and organized by the Panlong District People’s Government of Kunming City, the activities centered on the theme "When Seas Birthed the Bright Moon, We Reach for the Starry Rivers in the Highest Heavens." Through keynote reports by academicians, thematic lectures, commercial aerospace industry exchanges, and aerospace science outreach in schools, the activities promoted the spirit of space exploration, disseminated scientific knowledge, showcased China’s aerospace achievements, and advanced the integration of aerospace technology with the digital economy.

Huang Chunping, chief director of the Shenzhou-5 Rocket System, delivers a lecture at Kunming No. 10 High School.

As a highlight, Huang Chunping, the 87-year-old chief director of the Shenzhou-5 Rocket System, gave a lecture at Kunming No. 10 High School. Drawing from his experience of participating in China’s first manned space mission, he recounted the nation’s aerospace development history, emphasizing that "the foundation of a space power lies in independent innovation, and its lifeline rests on talent cultivation."

His lecture underscored the unwavering dedication of generations of aerospace professionals, saying it’s their spiritual backbone of “standing upright” that ensure the "steady flight" of Chinese rockets, offering teachers and students an inspiring immersion into the ethos of space exploration.

Jia Yang, designer of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), captivated audiences with his presentation "The Romance of Zhurong," revealing details such as the significance of the Chinese character "中" (Zhong, for "China" in Chinese) engraved on the wheels of China’s first Mars rover, and how each rotation left "China’s footprints" in the Martian soil.

Photo shows the site of aerospace science outreach in school activity.

On the same day, facilities including the Yunnan University Astronomical Observatory, Zhihua Aviation Science Base, Yunnan Key Laboratory of Unmanned Autonomous Systems, and the National High-Resolution Earth Observation System Yunnan Data and Application Center were open to the public, offering people immersive experiences in aerospace technology.

The Popular Science Fund of the CFHRD was officially established on March 18, 2021. Since the inception, it has remained committed to its public welfare mission, actively organizing initiatives in aerospace science education, health literacy promotion, and youth scientific cultivation, achieving significant social impact.