On 15 October 2003, Chinese pilot Yang Liwei became the first Chinese national to orbit the Earth. With the launch of the Shenzhou 5, China became the third nation to launch a human into Earth orbit. This model is currently the best available representation of this event. The DSH collections rationale calls for an increased representation of non-U.S. activities in space. In addition this object is a diplomatic gift that came directly from the government of China and reflects the Chinese desire to increase world-wide knowledge of their activities in space.
The Embassy of the People's Republic of China gave this model to the Museum in 2004.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.