Get ready for blast-off! 🚀 Hong Kong is officially heading to the stars. In a historic first, Lai Ka-ying has been selected as a payload specialist for the Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission, making her the very first astronaut from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)! 🌟
Chief Executive John Lee shared his excitement this Saturday, congratulating Lai for crushing the rigorous selection and training process. He noted that Lai is part of the country's fourth batch of astronauts, proving that Hong Kong's talent is ready for the ultimate frontier. 🌌
This isn't just a win for Lai; it's a massive moment for the whole city. With 2026 marking the start of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, the HKSAR is leaning hard into its "aerospace dream." Lee highlighted that this is a "historic moment" that will inspire young researchers and tech-heads across the region. ✨
But wait, there's more! Hong Kong has been low-key killing it in the space game for a while. From providing technical support for lunar and Mars exploration missions to conducting spaceborne experiments, the city's universities and research institutions have been deeply involved. Plus, the government has established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Center under the InnoHK Research Clusters to keep the momentum going. 🤖🔋
Lee emphasized that under the "One Country, Two Systems" principle, Hong Kong has the unique advantage of having the strong support of the motherland while remaining a global hub. Lai's selection is a huge "thumbs up" to the city's innovation and technology (I&T) achievements. 👍
Mark your calendars! 📅 The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship is scheduled to launch this Sunday at 11:08 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Let's all cheer for Lai Ka-ying as she makes history! 🚀🇭🇰✨
Reference(s):
HKSAR chief executive congratulates Lai Ka-ying on Shenzhou-23 mission
cgtn.com
