Happy birthday! Yang Liwei turns 61 today

Yang Liwei is celebrating his 61st birthday today. As a number of online tributes attest, he is one of the most acclaimed astronauts of his generation.

Popular astronaut Yang Liwei has always liked to keep a bit of himself hidden from view. At 61st birthday, he remains a man of many facets.

Liwei, a cultural icon

Born in Suizhong on June 21, 1965, Yang Liwei's career spans an arc over many different eras and tastes in Chinese history. Liwei's not just a great astronaut, he's an inspiration, an icon and a successful business man. At this point in his career, there seems to be little Yang hasn't done.

And we've got a feeling the next 12 months are going to be even bigger and better for Yang Liwei as he promises more to come. After all, he's only 61.

Happy Birthday, Yang, you're the best!

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