Hong Kong’s businesses and industries have applauded the selection of Lai Ka-ying – the city’s first astronaut – for the Shenzhou XXIII manned spaceflight, calling it a historic breakthrough for the city, particularly in the aerospace sector.
Wingco Lo Kam-wing, president of the Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, said the fact that a local astronaut has been chosen to join the national space mission underscores the central government’s strong commitment to supporting the city’s innovation and technology sector, as well as talent development.
Payload specialist Lai – an alumna of The University of Hong Kong – together with mission commander and spaceflight engineer Colonel Zhu Yangzhu and spacecraft pilot Colonel Zhang Zhiyuan, successfully docked with the Tiangong space station and met with the outgoing Shenzhou XXI crew on Monday morning.
Lo said payload specialists are responsible for critical tasks, such as conducting space station scientific research and aerospace experiments that require profound academic expertise and professional capabilities.
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Therefore, the inclusion of a Hong Kong expert in the nation’s space mission demonstrates the strength and maturity of the special administrative region’s scientific research-and-talent cultivation system, which continues to nurture high-caliber professionals, he said.
Lo also noted that aerospace technology is among the key industries that will drive economic upgrading and high-quality economic growth during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) and it’s a clear strategic direction and guidance for the SAR.
The participation of a Hong Kong specialist in space exploration will effectively stimulate the development of the city’s aerospace-related industries, promote deeper integration between Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector and the national aerospace industry system, and enhance Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology center, Lo said.
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Yeung Hoi-shan, president of the Hong Kong Commerce & Industry Associations, congratulated the nation for the successful launch, describing it as a “breakthrough” in Hong Kong’s history.
He said members of the association watched the live broadcast of the Shenzhou XXIII lift-off ceremony on Sunday night, witnessing the historic moment for Hong Kong’s first female astronaut, and expressed immense pride in her achievement.
“The association is actively responding to the national strategic deployment for science and technology development by building robust bridges for technological innovation and economic-trade exchanges between Hong Kong, Macao and the Chinese mainland,” Yeung said.
He believes these efforts will accelerate collaborative growth of the science-technology industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while inspiring industry peers to uphold the aerospace spirit, pursue innovation-driven development, and proactively shoulder the responsibilities of the new era.
Contact the writer at grace@chinadailyhk.com