He took out an apple from a small bag, recalling that on their launch day, the ground support team gave the crew members an apple to wish them a safe and successful journey.

"Tomorrow is May 30, the National Science and Technology Workers' Day. Before departing from the space station, we remembered to bring back an apple as a token of our appreciation for all science and technology workers. We salute them for their dedication and hard work. We wish China's space industry lasting prosperity, and every upcoming mission safe and smooth completion," the flight commander said.

Zhang Hongzhang, the second Chinese civilian to reach outer space and also the first astronaut picked from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said it is the great motherland that enabled him to combine his pursuit of scientific truth with the dream of spaceflight.