The Shenzhou 17 crew have been unveiled and their departure hour for China Space Station is also set. Sun Ye has this report.

This is the Shenzhou 17 crew, the youngest Shenzhou crew to date and ready for their 6 month journey in space that will start Thursday. 

Tang Hongbo, the veteran taikonaut who was on the Shenzhou 12 team back in 2021 is the commander and pilot. He's flying again in under 2 years, that's the shortest interval to date for any taikonaut. He's also the first to return to taikonauts' home in space. 

Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, who are both flying for the first time, are from the third-generation of taikonauts. 

And on the eve of departure, the trio say they are calm, with their minds on one thing only. 

TANG HONGBO Taikonaut "I feel calm at this moment, because I have my mind only on the mission. And have always been ready for space. In the last two years, I have often dreamed of space. China Space Station is our other home in space. I've worked to return there."

Answering a question from CGTN, Jiang Xinlin described this is as a crew of honor. 

JIANG XINLIN Taikonaut "Our crew is one of mission, one of responsibility, one of honor. I believe with our nation, our people behind us, with our commander, we will complete the mission successfully."

The China Manned Space Agency also revealed Thursday that the China Space Station will further expand to form a cross-shape assembly from the current T-shape configuration. 

The agency official stressed that China's step-by-step development is never to seek so-called "space hegemony."

LIN XIQIANG Spokesperson, China Manned Space Agency "China manned space development is part of the peaceful exploration and use of outer space for humankind. China's efforts are for expanding man's understanding of the universe and for human cultures' sustainable development. We've always developed according to plan. China Space Station was built step by step. We've never sought so-called hegemony."

Lin also said China will continue to cooperate with international partners in areas including joint flights by astronauts, development of space payload applications, and more. 

SUN YE Jiuquan "China Manned Space Agency also said the second round of selection for the 4th generation of taikonauts has finished. There are candidates from Hong Kong and Macao, and if they make the cut, they might join training as early as next year. Sun Ye, CGTN, Jiuquan."