Hong Kong and Macao reached for the stars 🌟 this week as their residents secured unprecedented roles in China’s space program. For the first time ever, one resident from each region has been selected as payload specialists in the fourth batch of Chinese astronauts, marking a giant leap for local STEM talent.
The China Manned Space Agency announced 10 new astronauts on Tuesday, including eight space pilots and two specialists tasked with managing science experiments in orbit. The historic #SpaceMilestone drew immediate celebration from leaders in both regions.
'This isn’t just personal glory – it’s recognition of Hong Kong’s tech capabilities,' said HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee, calling the selection process a 'vote of confidence' from the central government. Macao authorities echoed similar pride, highlighting growing contributions to national projects.
🔭 Why it matters: Hong Kong universities have already assisted with lunar missions and Mars rover tech. Now, having homegrown astronauts amplifies the city’s role as an emerging innovation hub. Lee pledged more investment to nurture 'the next generation of problem-solvers ready for zero gravity.'
With this cosmic career boost, could we see a Cantonese-speaking scientist conducting experiments on the Tiangong space station? The final frontier just got more inclusive. 🛰️
