Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

Full coverage: China’s Leaders

President Xi Jinping has spoken to Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, the two astronauts aboard the Tiangong-2 space lab. The astronauts travelled to Tiangong-2 in the Shenzhou-11 spacecraft at the start of their month-long space mission that began on October 17. Xi spoke to them via satellite from the manned space program command center in Beijing.

Combination photo taken on Nov. 9, 2016 shows Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) talks with the two astronauts, Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, in the space lab Tiangong-2, at the command center of China's manned space program in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Ju Peng/Li Tao)

“You have been working in space now for over half a month. Comrade Haipeng, this is your third time conducting a manned space mission, while Comrade Chen Dong, this is your first time in space. Everyone across China cares very much about both of you. Are you in good physical condition and is your work going smoothly?” Xi said.

“Thank you for your kindness, general secretary. We are in good health and our work here is going smoothly. We can watch the news from CCTV, which is a high-quality image. We felt inspired, when we saw the General Secretary at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Eighteenth CPC Central Committee. China's manned space flight has reached new heights and Chinese astronauts have improved work and life conditions in space. We are proud of our motherland,” Jing said.

“I have adapted to the zero-gravity environment in space. My life here is normal, and my work is going on based on the schedule. I will go forth, and successfully complete the mission,” Chen said.