Heroic astronaut Wang Yaping affectionately talks about the struggle to build dreams and reach stars

On October 16, astronaut Wang Yaping was a special guest at Anhui Normal University’s 6th “Huajin Lecture Series,” where she delivered an inspiring talk titled “Syncing with the Times and Dancing with Dreams.” The lecture attracted over 600 attendees, including the university’s Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Hu Jing, department officials, and student representatives.

Wang began her presentation by reflecting on her childhood dreams of flying, sharing a heartfelt narrative of her journey to achieve her aspirations among the stars. Throughout the lecture, she provided insights into the daily life and training of astronauts, recounting her personal experiences of pushing both physical and psychological limits during training. She also described her work and life in space, illustrating her talk with breathtaking images of the vast universe and our beautiful planet taken from space. Wang touched on her emotional journey during her first extravehicular mission, explaining the weight of responsibility she felt.

Wang expressed, “We go into space carrying the hopes of 1.4 billion people. At the moment of launch, six words echoed in my mind: responsibility, mission, and dream.” From a little girl gazing at the stars to a pilot shaping her dreams in the sky, and now to an astronaut exploring the cosmos, Wang has grown from a witness to China’s space achievements into a vital participant in its journey.

She emphasized the joy of aligning personal dreams with the dreams of the nation: “It’s our greatest happiness to contribute and strive for the country’s aspirations alongside our own.” During the lecture, Wang engaged warmly with the students, encouraging them to cherish the present and make the most of their beautiful youth. She urged them to remain curious, explore bravely, and pursue their dreams to reach their own ocean of stars.

Students were clearly moved by her presentation. “Wang Yaping’s lecture gave me a deeper understanding of space exploration and inspired me to chase my own dreams!” exclaimed Hu Yiting, a student from the Faculty of Geography and Tourism. Another student, Tang Ting from the Physics Teacher Training program, shared her exhilaration, saying, “I was left electrified after hearing Wang Yaping speak! As a future teacher, I aspire to plant the seeds of dreams in the hearts of more children. I believe that is the essence of being an educator.”

Wang Yaping, a member of China’s second group of astronauts, has flown on the Shenzhou 10 and Shenzhou 13 missions. She made history as the first female astronaut to live aboard a space station and conduct an extravehicular activity, also becoming China’s first “space teacher.”