Qi Faren, chief designer of China's Shenzhou spacecraft, was inducted into the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Hall of Fame in 2019, an honor which is intended to create a standing forum of personalities that have contributed substantially to the progress of space science, technology and benefits for humanity.

Up to 10 recipients are inducted every year, according to the IAF. They are presented with a certificate during the closing ceremony of the International Astronautical Congress, a major international space conference held in Washington, D.C. annually.

However, Chinese delegates were absent from this year's space gala because U.S. authorities failed to give visas in time.

Qi, born in 1933, is an academician of the International Academy of Astronautics and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He was appointed general designer of Shenzhou in 1992. He led the research and development of the first five Shenzhou spaceships, including the Shenzhou 5, which went on China's first manned space mission in 2003.