China Vitae

Biography Highlight

Yang Liwei, male, Han nationality, is a native of Suizhong County, Liaoning Province. He was born in 1965, joined the PLA in 1983 and joined the CPC in 1988. Yang graduated from Air Force No. 8 Flight Institute in 1987, and was in the posts as pilot and leader of Flight Squadron of Division of Aviation of Air Force. Yang flew different types of fighting airplanes, created a record of safely flying for 1350 hours and was honored as 1st grade pilot. He participated the selection of astronaut in 1996 and became one of the first generation of astronaut of China in 1998. After 5 years training, Yang became the first astronaut of China who entered outspace by operating “shengzhou 5” spacecraft in 2003. He is a lieutenant colonel and an alternate member of 17th CPC Central Committee.

Recent Career Data

2007—	Alternate Member, 17th CPC, Central Committee
2007—	Deputy Director, China Astronaut Research and Training Center
2003	Astronaut, (First Astronaut of Shengzhou 5 Spacecraft to enter outerspace)
1983	Joined, PLA