Profile | Meet Liu Yang, China’s first woman in space, mother of 2, as she discusses intricacies of balancing career and family

China’s first woman in space, Liu Yang, has shared insights into managing the delicate balance between her career and family commitments in a recent interview.

Liu, 45, was asked how she managed to juggle looking after her nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son alongside her high-flying profession, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV).

It is a “false proposition”, she said.

“I cannot balance my career and my family by myself. My husband and parents have my back so that I can fly higher and further,” Liu said.

“Such questions should not be put just to mothers and wives.”

Her answers resonated on mainland social media. In particular, with female observers.