Female Astronaut Cherry-Picked for Shenzhou-10

A mainstream Chinese newspaper has reported that female astronaut Wang Yaping is likely to be aboard China's Shenzhou 10 spacecraft when it blasts off in June this year.

According to Zhou Jianping, the chief designer of China's Manned Space Program, Wang Yaping is the only female astronaut candidate being considered for the Shenzhou 10 spacecraft, Jiefang Daily reports.

Wang Yaping was born in a village in Zhanggezhuang Town, Yantai City, in east China's cherry-producing Shandong Province. Wang's parents, who are involved in the planting of cherry trees, said that the budding astronaut grew up eating the fruit.

"As a young child she was in good physical condition and had a strong sense of perseverance; she could take part in long-distance running from an early age," said Wang Zhixing, Wang Yaping's primary-school PE teacher. "She was a really sporty child with an unyielding spirit."

Cao Meina, Wang Yaping's teacher at the Yantai No. 23 middle school added, "Wang Yaping was an exemplary student in Chinese class, displaying comprehensive development during junior middle school."

"Wang was an ordinary rural child, and what she has achieved today is the result of her own diligence and effort," said another teacher at the Yantai No. 23 middle school.

17 year-old Wang Yaping received admission notice from the Changchun Flight College of the People's Liberation Army Air Force in August 1997.

Wang has taken part in several rescue missions and military exercises.