The governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) have expressed heartfelt gratitude to the central government for their support and recognition of Hong Kong and Macao’s involvement in China’s national space endeavors.
On Tuesday, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced the selection of ten candidates for China’s fourth batch of astronauts, comprising eight space pilots and two payload specialists. Significantly, among the two payload specialists, one is from Hong Kong and the other from Macao.
HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee expressed immense pride and excitement over the selection. “Hong Kong is proud to have one resident selected as a member of China’s fourth batch of astronauts,” Lee remarked. “This is an uplifting and encouraging milestone that will go down in history as the first time a payload specialist from Hong Kong has become an astronaut.”
Lee thanked the central government for including Hong Kong candidates in the selection process, viewing it as a strong endorsement of Hong Kong’s scientific and technological advancement. He highlighted the contributions of research and development teams from Hong Kong’s universities, which have supported national space projects on numerous occasions.
“The inclusion of a Hong Kong resident in the astronaut team further attests to the innovative prowess of our city’s sci-tech talents,” Lee noted. “The HKSAR government will continue to implement measures to foster more talent and establish Hong Kong as an international center for scientific and technological innovation.”
Similarly, the Macao SAR government has expressed its appreciation for the central government’s support, emphasizing the significance of having a Macao resident included in the astronaut team. This historic selection signifies the growing integration of Hong Kong and Macao into the nation’s broader scientific and technological ambitions, inspiring residents and bolstering efforts to nurture local talent.
The inclusion of residents from Hong Kong and Macao in China’s astronaut corps marks a new chapter in the regions’ participation in national initiatives, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and development in cutting-edge fields.
Reference(s):
Hong Kong, Macao thank central government for space program support
cgtn.com
