In those programs, a large number of young people took on major responsibilities, which showcased the enterprising spirit of Chinese young people in the new era, he said.

Xi said continuous endeavors from one generation after another would be needed to build China into a power in the aerospace sector.

He expressed hope that young Chinese people will carry forward the spirit that was evident when the nation developed its nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles and launched satellites in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as the launch of manned spaceflights, and that they will live up to their potential in the nation's space programs.

On May 4, 2013, the president visited the China Academy of Space Technology, under China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, spoke with representatives of young people and took part in a thematic youth event.

As this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China, the young team working on the space station program in the corporation wrote to Xi on behalf of the 80,000 young people in the corporation and conveyed their determination to work together to turn China into a space power.