Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu (R), Zhang Zhiyuan (C) and Li Jiaying attend the send-off ceremony on the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Zhipeng)
BEIJING, May 26 (Xinhua) — Sunday’s profitable launch of China’s Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft marked a historic milestone for the Hong Kong and Macao particular administrative areas (SARs), as astronaut Li Jiaying grew to become the primary particular person from the SARs to journey to outer space and the fourth Chinese lady to take action.
News of payload specialist Li, who beforehand labored for the Hong Kong Police Force and is thought in Cantonese as Lai Ka-ying, has been extensively celebrated in Hong Kong and neighboring Macao, with many locals expressing immense delight.
From the police power to the space, Li’s profession trajectory stands as compelling proof that younger individuals in Hong Kong and Macao are totally able to realizing their potential by shining on the nation’s cutting-edge scientific and technological levels.
Li, a local of Hong Kong, honed her perseverance and a focus to element throughout her time with the police power. After the nation’s astronaut recruitment was open to Hong Kong and Macao for the primary time, she seized the possibility.
After rigorous alternatives, she joined the nationwide astronaut staff in Beijing, the place she obtained high-intensity coaching, passing all evaluations. Holding a doctoral diploma in pc forensics, Li is liable for conducting scientific experiments and utilized analysis aboard the space station.
Her achievement displays the central authorities’ assist for Hong Kong and Macao, in addition to recognition of the sci-tech achievements made there. Li’s story is a testomony to the profitable apply of “one country, two systems.”
The space mission unveils a brand new chapter for sci-tech innovation in Hong Kong and Macao, as it’s anticipated to spice up confidence and stimulate additional technological endeavors within the two areas.
Over the years, the 2 SARs have been concerned in main nationwide space endeavors, together with deep-space exploration and the development of China’s space station. Cooperation with the mainland in aerospace analysis, exchanges and science schooling has grown more and more shut.
Research groups from Hong Kong have made sustained contributions to main nationwide space initiatives, together with the Chang’e lunar exploration program, the Mars mission and lunar pattern return missions, offering cutting-edge applied sciences.
“Macao Science 1,” the primary space science satellite tv for pc program collectively developed by the mainland and Macao, was efficiently launched in 2023, opening up new areas for cooperation between the 2 sides within the aerospace sector.
As HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee stated following the launch of Shenzhou-23, with the sturdy assist of the nation, Hong Kong can rework from a “supporter” into an “executor” of the nation’s nice aerospace endeavors.
The space program can be an necessary foothold for Hong Kong and Macao to raised combine into general nationwide growth.
In latest years, state key laboratories within the two SARs have docked with main nationwide science packages resembling aerospace and deep-space exploration, integrating analysis assets, experimental information and personnel coaching.
Delegations of China’s manned space program have paid a number of visits to Hong Kong and Macao, the place astronauts shared their tales nose to nose with younger individuals, and specialists gave lectures and took half in tutorial exchanges.
Taking this as a powerful enhance, Hong Kong and Macao will certainly additional deepen sci-tech coordination and collaboration with the mainland, leverage the strengths in sci-tech innovation assets of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and proceed to contribute to China’s space efforts by means of common participation in national-level space packages and systematic cultivation of expertise.
Li’s participation is sure to encourage extra younger individuals within the two SARs to pursue a profession in science. As she famous, “While the space station may seem remote, the dream of space is within reach.”
(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)