HONG Kong native Li Jiaying, known locally as Lai Ka-ying, has officially made history as the first-ever astronaut selected from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).
She is the first member of China’s fourth batch of astronauts to take on an in-orbit mission, as well as the first female payload specialist from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Macao Special Administrative Region to join the country’s manned space programme.
In a statement issued on Saturday morning, John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, expressed gratitude to the country for its support for and trust in the region, and wished the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission great success.
Formerly a Hong Kong Police Force staff member, Lai wins high praise from the local disciplined services. Chris Tang Ping-keung, secretary for security of the HKSAR government, said Lai embodies the disciplined services’s loyalty and perseverance, wishing her a successful space voyage.
The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Lai’s alma mater, conveyed warm congratulations. HKU president Zhang Xiang noted Lai’s journey from campus labs to outer space sets an inspiring example for “a new generation of Hong Kong scientists to reach for the stars and contribute to our nation’s glorious space odyssey”.
Jonathan Choi, chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, said this historic milestone proves Hong Kong’s solid scientific strength, galvanizes efforts to build the city into an international innovation and technology hub, and stirs young people’s passion for technological research. — Xinhua