China recently sent its first reusable and returnable test satellite, Shijian-19, into the intended orbit, using a Long March-2D rocket for the launch. A representative from the Space Science and Technology Research Center in the Hefei National High-tech Industry Development Zone announced that the mission carried 520 grams of plant payloads, including 16 varieties of barley and rapeseeds from Cuona, Xizang autonomous region, for space breeding experiments.

In autumn, Cuona, a city at an altitude of 4,380 meters that was once a cold and arid land at the snowy mountains, is now covered with forage.

The city's space breeding forage experiment land has seen the first harvest of "space forage." These forage plants are improved varieties adapted to alpine climates, developed by sending plant seeds into space to induce genetic mutations.

In May this year, the zone's Space Science and Technology Research Center, the Shaanxi Engineering Research Center for Plant Space Breeding, and the Cuona People's Government reached a cooperation agreement to establish the first key space breading laboratory for plateau plants within the city. Currently, the first phase of the space forage experiment base has been completed, with 30 mu (2 hectares) planted with six varieties of space forage.