Editor's note: To mark the convening of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China Daily has selected 10 sets of photo stories that illustrate various aspects of the country's development during the past decade. The photos, posters and videos showcase the achievements and experiences of the Party's cause, and the country under Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. This is the first in the series.

Chinese astronauts pose for a group photo at the Beijing Aerospace City on Jan 11, 2018. (XU BU / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the nation's aerospace industry has shown great confidence in its path, taking self-reliance in science and technology as the strategic support for the sector's development, and has achieved strong breakthroughs in key core technology fields. That has seen China's ambition of becoming a powerful aerospace nation move forward with great strides.

As a photographer of the manned space project, Xu Bu has participated in many such missions and witnessed the development of the country's aerospace science and technology sector over the past 10 years. From unmanned to manned, from single module to multimodule, from space laboratory to China's Tiangong space station, young science and technology workers have grown into authoritative scientists, while some astronauts have honed themselves into sophisticated experts, who still take part in the construction of Tiangong, or Heavenly Palace, in their 50s.

Scientific researchers have utilized technology to create a brilliant history, and photographers have recorded brilliant moments. In the new era, they are all working hard to develop the aerospace industry and build a powerful aerospace nation.

Astronauts Chen Dong (center), Liu Yang (right) and Cai Xuzhe train in the test module at the China Astronaut Training Center on April 29. (XU BU / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Shenzhou X crew members (from left) Zhang Xiaoguang, Nie Haisheng and Wang Yaping leave the reentry capsule in Amugulang Grassland in central Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on June 26, 2013. (XU BU / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Salute the people after successfully completing their mission. Astronauts Nie (center), Liu Boming (right) and Yang Hongbo undertake extravehicular training on Sept 25, 2020. (XU BU / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Astronaut Jing Haipeng trains in a centrifuge on June 30, 2016. (XU BU / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Astronauts are fitted for spacesuits in the spacesuit workshop on March 23 last year. (XU BU / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Astronauts Nie Haisheng (center), Liu Boming (right), and Tang Hongbo conduct water exit training on Sept 10, 2020. (XU BU / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Astronauts conduct underwater training in a simulated weightless environment for space station missions on Nov 28, 2018. (XU BU / FOR CHINA DAILY)