[1] In October 1992, a Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense-PLAAF joint task force started the preliminary selection for astronauts; 1,506 pilots were identified and twelve were chosen as candidates.

[2] The Astronaut Corps was established on January 5, 1998 and the twelve along with two PLAAF trainees sent to Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in 1996 forms Chinese Group 1.

[5] The Astronaut Corps was part of the General Armaments Department until GAD was disbanded in January 2016.

[3] In January and March 2018, China Manned Space Agency vice director, astronaut Yang Liwei stated that Group 3 selection was expected to begin in 2018 and would include engineers and mission specialists.

[6] Yang also stated that Group 3 would include civilians from industry and research institutions.