Beijing, China - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Coach talking to astronauts
2. Various of astronauts preparing equipment for diving training
3. Astronauts underwater
4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer, Astronaut Center of China (starting with shot 3) (ending with shots 5-7):
"To cope with huge challenges brought up by space station missions, we have theoretical trainings on space station technology and extravehicular activities, including professional space station technology and relevant medical knowledge. We also have trainings on how to operate those equipment, and how to operate mechanical arms. We will carry out survival trainings in desert and trainings on emergency evacuation from the escape slide before the lift-up, so as to sharpen their living and rescue skills and strengthen their will for space missions."
5. Various of astronauts hiking in desert
6. Astronaut waving touch in desert
7. Various of employees adjusting space suits for astronaut
8. Various of astronaut trying to open capsule door
9. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer, Astronaut Center of China (ending with shots 10-11):
"The third group of astronauts will include pilots, engineers and payload specialists. Pilots will be selected from aircraft pilots, and engineers and payload specialists will be selected from professionals related to the manned space flight projects, especially aerospace technician, and scientists."
10. Astronaut in water for training
11. Various of astronauts underwater
12. Astronaut getting into water

Chinese astronauts have been undergoing intensive trainings to prepare for the space station missions in the upcoming days, the Astronaut Center of China (ACC) said recently.

The missions for the space station will feature long in-orbit stays, regular extra-vehicular activities, in-orbit assembling and repair of the station, which means more challenges for the selection and training of astronauts, the center said.

Currently, astronauts have begun the study of space station technology, mechanical arms and extra-vehicular activities. They have also gone through diving training for adaptation, and intensified their strength and stamina training, according to Huang Weifen, deputy chief designer of the ACC.

"To cope with huge challenges brought up by space station missions, we have theoretical trainings on space station technology and extravehicular activities, including professional space station technology and relevant medical knowledge. We also have trainings on how to operate those equipment, and how to operate mechanical arms. We will carry out survival trainings in desert and trainings on emergency evacuation from the escape slide before the lift-up, so as to sharpen their living and rescue skills and strengthen their will for space missions," said Huang.

The day of April 1 this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the ACC. With the progress of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System and the Chang'e-4 lunar probe, China has entered a period of many space missions this year.

The center has trained 21 astronauts, developed more than 4,000 aero-products such as extravehicular space suits, and fulfilled six manned space flight missions.

When talking about selecting the third group of astronauts, Huang said that the scope will be larger comparing with the previous ones.

"The third group of astronauts will include pilots, engineers and payload specialists. Pilots will be selected from aircraft pilots, and engineers and payload specialists will be selected from professionals related to the manned space flight projects, especially aerospace technician, and scientists," said Huang.