Ye Gaungfu, 36, is one of China's second-generation astronauts. He was talking with China Daily reporter Zhao Lei in Yantai, Shandong province, after he took part in a sea survival training session.

We have participated in survival training in pools and reservoirs, but this is the first time we followed such training at sea.

The sea survival training was very realistic. For example, we were asked to check whether we are able to perform the proper maneuvers and procedures in strong waves, and if the waves were not strong enough, several ships would be sent to sail back and forth around our boats to generate stronger movement.

Such training is challenging because compared with training in a pool or reservoir, it makes higher demands regarding our physical and psychological conditions. It also tests the organizational work, on-scene command and interdepartmental cooperation.

Through this session, we have become more familiar with procedures of sea survival and rescue and improved our abilities in working with foreign counterparts.

Samantha Cristoforetti and Matthias Maurer made full preparations for the training before they came here. Their Chinese is quite fluent. We Chinese astronauts have also received intensified training on the English language.

In consequence, we have no problem communicating with each other. Normally we speak in Chinese in training sessions but during lectures on key procedures and equipment we would repeat the content to them in English.

I have not found any language or cultural obstacles when working with the European astronauts. We have already become friends.