appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Fran Lu

A 73-year-old Chinese female entrepreneur has recently become the 22nd passenger of the domestically developed spacecraft CYZ1.
On August 8, Huang Xiaochi was officially designated as passenger No 022 for CYZ1, a project by the commercial space start-up InterstellOr.
Huang is scheduled to embark on a suborbital mission aboard the spaceship in 2028, reaching the Kármán line, the widely recognised boundary of Earth’s atmosphere where outer space begins, allowing her to view Earth from that vantage point.
Other passengers announced for the inaugural CYZ1 flight include Li Licheng, an 85-year-old academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Qiu Heng, CMO of the robotics start-up AgiBot, and actor Johnny Huang Jingyu.
Reports indicate that presale tickets for the spacecraft are priced at three million yuan (US$440,000) each.

Before her anticipated journey into space, Huang Xiaochi has led an extraordinary life.
Born in 1953 in Shunde, Foshan, in southern China’s Guangdong province, Huang joined Kelon, a prominent Chinese home appliance manufacturer, when it was founded in her hometown in 1984.
Despite having only a secondary school education, she self-studied subjects like mechanical drawing, physics, chemistry, geometry, and English.
Her dedication paved the way for her advancement from quality control inspector to vice-president of engineering at the company.
Huang led her research and development team in creating Kelon’s first refrigerator, and they also developed China’s first freon-free energy-saving fridge, earning the State Science and Technology Progress Award twice for this accomplishment.
In 2000, she was recognised as a national model worker.

Kelon was acquired by Greencool in 2001 and then by the Hisense Group in 2006.
Huang departed from Kelon in 2002 and founded Guangdong Ritu Technology Inc. that same year at the age of 49.
The company specialises in the development and production of Chinese navigation digital maps. Its flagship product, Daodaotong, is among the earliest commercial GPS navigation maps and laid the groundwork for Baidu Maps, a leading digital mapping and navigation service in China.
Huang is regarded as a symbol of the pragmatic spirit of Shunde’s local manufacturing sector.
When asked why she still wishes to travel to space at the age of 73, Huang provided a straightforward response: “I just want to go have a look, like any other trip.”

She signed up for the space mission one day before the launch of the Shenzhou 23 manned spacecraft from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on May 24.
Onboard the Shenzhou 23 was Lai Ka-ying, Hong Kong’s first astronaut and also a descendant of Shunde.
Huang was present to witness this launch in Jiuquan, stating: “The Earth is the cradle of humanity, but we are unwilling to stay in the cradle forever.”
“She has lived her life to the fullest,” remarked an online observer.


Ex-factory worker and engineer to make history as one of China’s first space passengers

Family’s bankruptcy drives US-graduated Chinese student to become acclaimed chef

Chinese husband splits expenses, installs cameras to monitor wife during 40-year marriage

Did Aristotle exist? China targets pseudo-history myths claiming West stole civilisations

Trending in China

A self-made engineer who began her career on the factory floor, Huang Xiaochi will become one of China’s first commercial space tourists when she flies on a suborbital mission in 2028. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/QQ.com

Reports suggest that presale tickets for the spacecraft are priced at three million yuan (US$440,000) each. Photo: Baidu

Despite holding only a secondary school education, she independently studied mechanical drawing, physics, chemistry, geometry, and English, earning recognition as a national model worker in 2000. The photo above showcases the awards she has garnered throughout her career. Photo: Baidu

China’s Long March 2F rocket, carrying three astronauts for the Shenzhou 20 manned space mission, is en route to a space station, launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwestern China on April 24, 2025. Photo: AP/Andy Wong

A husband in southeastern China has insisted on splitting expenses with his wife for 40 years, even going as far as installing home surveillance cameras to monitor her aggressive behaviour. Photo: Douyin

The wife argued that her erratic actions were a result of her husband’s emotional detachment, which drove her to distress. Photo: Baidu

The couple from Fujian province sought help from a local mediation TV show as their disputes intensified. Photo: Baidu

The husband claimed his wife’s aggressive behaviour shattered his trust, leading him to invest thousands in surveillance cameras for reassurance. Photo: Baidu

Chinese dad sparks controversy after digging grave to help sick daughter cope with death

In 2017, a father from Sichuan dug a grave for his daughter, Xinlei, who was battling thalassemia, as a way to help her confront the concept of death. His decision ignited controversy but significantly raised awareness about the disease. Photo: Sina

When Xinlei was just two years old, her family faced the daunting challenge of securing a matching donor and managing substantial medical costs for her treatment. Photo: Baidu

Amid a bleak outlook for her health, Zhang chose to dig a grave for Xinlei, aiming to prepare her for the inevitability of death. Photo: Baidu

In a 2017 interview, Zhang explained his decision to create a “final resting place” for his daughter at a time when hope seemed elusive, just before generous donations began to arrive. Photo: Baidu

The photo above captures Xinlei celebrating her seventh birthday. Her mother recently shared with the media that medical tests have confirmed Xinlei’s remarkable recovery and good health. Photo: Baidu

Chinese custom sees women throw embroidered balls from balconies to choose husbands

In Chinese period dramas, women throw embroidered balls from balconies to choose a husband. In real life, this 2,000-year-old Guangxi tradition is a playful game for mutually interested couples. Photo: Sohu

Throwing the embroidered ball is a 2,000-year-old tradition of the Zhuang ethnic group in Guangxi, China. Far from a random game of chance, the practice serves as a beautifully structured courtship ritual. Photo: Taiwan.cn

These fist-sized, handmade embroidered balls feature auspicious, vibrant colours that showcase the superb craftsmanship of local women. Historically, a more exquisitely stitched ball would easily capture a suitor’s deepest admiration. Photo: Taiwan.cn

A woman holds an oversized embroidered ball, a dramatic contrast to the traditionally fist-sized original versions. Photo: Taiwan.cn

Chinese ‘pre-made children’ term reflects trend of parents prioritising study over summer fun

Fear of falling behind drives parents to overload young children with advanced coursework. Photo: Shutterstock

A boy is seen above working on his schoolwork. Some observers quip that if this trend continues, there will be transition programmes between university and work, and retirement and death. Photo: Shutterstock

The family pictured above embraces outdoor play, standing in sharp contrast to hyper-focused parents who turn every free hour into study time. Photo: Shutterstock

Upon graduating from a prestigious film programme in the US, a wealthy Chinese student faced an unexpected twist: her family had gone bankrupt. Photo: RedNote

After learning about her parents’ financial struggles, Chengzi reinvented herself, transitioning into a private chef for affluent middle-class clients. Photo: RedNote

Seizing an opportunity, Chengzi returned to China for culinary training, mastering 10 exquisite Sichuan and Cantonese dishes before heading back to the US. Photo: RedNote

At the end of a long workday, Chengzi enjoys the delicious leftovers from a satisfied client, a well-deserved reward for her efforts. Photo: RedNote

Chengzi takes pride in her independence, stating that while some former classmates still rely on their parents, she values her journey to self-sufficiency. Photo: RedNote

News

People & Culture

China Personalities

When asked why she desires to travel to space at the age of 73, Huang simply stated that she just wants ‘to take a look’


When asked why she desires to travel to space at the age of 73, Huang simply stated that she just wants ‘to take a look’.


China's space programme

Ex-factory worker and engineer to make history as one of China’s first space passengers

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}When asked why she desires to travel to space at the age of 73, Huang simply stated that she just wants ‘to take a look’

When asked why she desires to travel to space at the age of 73, Huang simply stated that she just wants ‘to take a look’