Shenzhou 18 Astronauts Complete Second Spacewalk, Smoothly

On July 3, at 10:51 PM (Beijing Time), after approximately 6.5 hours of meticulous work, Shenzhou 18 crew members Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu successfully completed their second spacewalk, marking the 16th extravehicular activity (EVA) performed by Chinese astronauts during the space station phase.

At 4:19 PM, astronaut Li Cong opened the hatch of the Wentian laboratory module and embarked on his first-ever spacewalk.

Li Cong then mounted the robotic arm, disassembled the fixing devices, and transferred to the equipment handover point using the arm. Subsequently, astronaut Ye Guangfu handed over the task-related equipment and devices from inside the station. At 5:41 PM, astronaut Ye Guangfu successfully exited the station.

Ye Guangfu then traversed along the station’s exterior to reach the designated worksite, collaborating with Li Cong to install protective devices for the Wentian module’s cables and the Tianhe core module’s pipelines.

Throughout the process, astronaut Li Guangsu remained inside the Tianhe core module, monitoring the robotic arm and providing necessary assistance. This EVA focused on continuing the installation of protective devices to mitigate potential risks posed by the impacts of space debris.

“The purpose of this spacewalk is to enhance the long-term safe and stable operation of the space station by installing protective devices for external equipment, mainly cables and pipelines,” explained Liu Ming, assistant research fellow at the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).

During the previous spacewalk, the Shenzhou 18 crew primarily installed protective devices for the external cables of the Mengtian experimental module. This mission focused on installing protective devices for the external cables and pipelines of the Wentian experimental module and the Tianhe core module.

“There were more protective devices to install this time,” noted Wu Dawen, deputy director of the China Astronaut Training Center. “As a result, it took longer to travel from the hatch to the designated worksite, but they handled the tasks with ease and precision.”

With the support and coordination of the space station’s robotic arm and ground-based researchers, the crew successfully installed protective devices for the space station’s external pipelines, cables, and key equipment. Li Cong then transferred the robotic arm to the inspection point, conducting visual inspection and photographing the load adapter’s surface using his helmet camera.

“The astronauts completed this spacewalk with great ease, efficiency, and perfection,” remarked Wu Dawen. “This crew is characterized by meticulous thinking and flexibility. They approach their tasks with seriousness and dedication while also maintaining a lively and enthusiastic spirit. They are a crew brimming with youthful vigor and vitality.”

Upon completing all planned EVA tasks, spacewalkers Ye Guangfu and Li Cong safely returned to the Wentian laboratory module, marking the successful conclusion of their spacewalk.

“The China Space Station is truly magnificent and breathtaking,” expressed astronaut Li Cong. “Every time the robotic arm reaches its highest point, even though the sunlight is dazzling, I can’t help but look at it a few extra times. I am genuinely filled with a sense of awe for the greatness of this project. I commend all the space personnel and our great nation. We will continue to work diligently to complete our subsequent tasks, carrying out our mission smoothly from start to finish. See you through the onboard cameras.”

To date, the Shenzhou 18 crew has completed one-third of their “space business trip” and will continue to conduct a wide range of scientific experiments and technical tests in orbit.

EU Mulls Import Duties on Cheap Online Goods from China

As media revealed, the European Union is considering imposing import duties on low-cost goods purchased through cross-border online retail platforms outside the EU. The proposed plan would eliminate the current €150 (approximately $180) duty-free threshold, targeting small-value imports.

According to sources, the primary focus is Chinese cross-border e-commerce platforms like Temu, AliExpress, and Shein. The surge in demand for affordable goods amidst rising inflation has fueled the popularity of these platforms, particularly Shein, which has disrupted the market share of traditional European clothing retailers like H&M and Zara. Amazon is also reportedly planning to launch its own low-cost store.

However, the proposal has faced opposition from some officials concerned about the additional workload it would place on already overburdened customs officers. Furthermore, reaching a consensus among EU member states on the new regulations could prove challenging.