"I am grateful to the new era for allowing everyone to dream, and to chase those dreams until they come true," said Wang Jie, the first astronaut from North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region to participate in a crewed spaceflight mission.

His remarks came during a news conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Ejine Banner, Inner Mongolia, ahead of the launch of the Shenzhou XX crewed mission.

The Shenzhou XX spacecraft launched on April 24 at 17:17 from the Jiuquan launch site, carrying three astronauts – Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui, and Wang Jie – into space. For Wang Jie, this journey marks both a personal triumph and a milestone for his hometown.

Born in 1989, Wang Jie was just 14 years old when he first learned about China's historic Shenzhou V mission in 2003. He was inspired by Yang Liwei's groundbreaking return to Earth. That moment planted the seed of a dream: one day, he too would reach for the stars.

Driven by this ambition, Wang pursued a degree in aerospace manufacturing engineering at Shenyang Aerospace University. He later earned a doctorate in mechanics from Beihang University, continually climbing the ladder of scientific achievement.

After graduation, he joined the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, dedicating himself to developing advanced flight vehicles.

"The harder you work, the more opportunities you create," Wang said. In 2018, during China's third round of astronaut selection – which for the first time included candidates from research institutions and universities – Wang stood out among many and was selected for training. This marked a turning point, aligning his journey with China's broader space exploration pursuits.

For over four years, Wang underwent rigorous training, immersing himself in both theoretical studies and practical astronautics. Each session and assessment brought him one step closer to his dream. That perseverance paid off when he was chosen for the Shenzhou XX crew.

From witnessing Yang Liwei's landing on Inner Mongolian soil to launching into space himself from the same region, Wang's journey embodies the spirit of the Chinese space dream – a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the power of an era that encourages all to dream and achieve.