Cai Zhan Kui

Cai Zhankui was born in China into a family with traditional values of loyalty and bravery, and many family members have military backgrounds. His second uncle and third uncle both served in the military, reflecting the family’s concern for and contribution to military and national affairs. The exact year and place of Cai Zhankui’s birth are not specified, but his family background has had a certain influence in terms of military and social responsibility.

Cai Zhankui’s family members include his wife Chen Xiaojun, his son Cai Xuzhe, and his daughter Cai Xuna. His son, Cai Xuzhe, is a Chinese astronaut who has participated in several crewed space missions: Shenzhou-14 in 2022 and Shenzhou-19 in 2024. During the Shenzhou-19 mission, Cai Xuzhe conducted five extravehicular activities (spacewalks), making him the Chinese astronaut with the most spacewalks to date. Cai Xuzhe’s wife, Wang Yanqing, is also a family member. The support and cooperation among family members have played an important role in Cai Xuzhe’s professional development.

In terms of education, Cai Zhankui emphasized the upbringing and training of his children, especially nurturing their interest in aerospace. Cai Xuzhe loved aerospace from a young age and showed a strong interest in airplanes, which was closely related to the family environment and the guidance of his elders. The family’s educational philosophy stressed a sense of responsibility and a mission to the nation, which influenced Cai Xuzhe’s life direction.

In public, Cai Zhankui has repeatedly expressed support and encouragement for his son’s space career. On June 5, 2022, while watching a live broadcast of the Shenzhou-14 launch in Shenzhou, Hebei, he expressed excitement and hoped his son would return safely after completing the mission. His wife and daughter watched with him, demonstrating family cohesion. On October 29, 2024, Cai Zhankui sent a message to his son: “When the motherland needs you, you must charge forward,” encouraging him to bravely shoulder his mission. On the day of the launch the next day, he and his family watched the live broadcast; although he was less visibly excited than at the first launch, he remained calm and continued to urge his son, in his capacity as a soldier and Party member, to bravely undertake his mission. On April 30, 2025, Cai Zhankui watched the live broadcast of his son’s return, expressed relief that he had come back safely, and praised China’s space technology.

Overall, Cai Zhankui’s family places importance on education and the inheritance of loyal and brave traditions, and family members support one another. These factors together influenced Cai Xuzhe’s development path and career choices.