Hong Kong authorities have laid on a big welcome for a delegation representing China’s manned space exploration programme, including a major show at the Hong Kong Coliseum and an exhibition at the science museum.

An intravehicular space suit is displayed in the China Manned Space Exhibition at Hong Kong Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
An intravehicular space suit is displayed in the China Manned Space Exhibition at Hong Kong Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The delegation of 17 astronauts and space engineering experts arrived on Tuesday for a four-day visit.

(From third left) Shenzhou-12 astronaut Liu Boming, delegation members Wang Xuewu and Zhong Hongen, attend a dialogue session with students at Ma Tau Chung Government Primary School (Hung Hom Bay) on November 29, 2023. Photo: GovHK.
(From third left) Shenzhou-12 astronaut Liu Boming, delegation members Wang Xuewu and Zhong Hongen, attend a dialogue session with students at Ma Tau Chung Government Primary School (Hung Hom Bay) on November 29, 2023. Photo: GovHK.

Meeting the press on Tuesday afternoon, its leader Lin Xijiang, who is the deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, said in Mandarin that their visit was intended to report developments in manned space exploration to the people of Hong Kong and Macau, and share the joy of successfully building the Chinese space station.

The China manned space delegation met Hong Kong students on November 29. Photo shows Shenzhou-14 mission commander Chen Dong giving a speech at Pui Kiu Middle School. Photo: GovHK.
The China manned space delegation met Hong Kong students on November 29. Photo shows Shenzhou-14 mission commander Chen Dong giving a speech at Pui Kiu Middle School. Photo: GovHK.

Chen Dong, the commander of the Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou-14, described the Chinese space station as democratic, open and diverse.

The China manned space delegation attended the variety show at the Hong Kong Coliseum on November 29. Photo shows (from left) the Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan, Shenzhou-13 astronaut Wang Yaping; Shenzhou-12 astronaut Liu Boming; the leader of the delegation and Deputy Director General of the China Manned Space Agency, Lin Xiqiang, the Chief Executive John Lee, the Director of the Liaison Office Zheng Yanxiong, Shenzhou-14 mission commander Chen Dong, Shenzhou-15 astronaut Zhang Lu and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak.
The China manned space delegation attended the variety show at the Hong Kong Coliseum on November 29. Photo shows (from left) the Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan, Shenzhou-13 astronaut Wang Yaping; Shenzhou-12 astronaut Liu Boming; the leader of the delegation and Deputy Director General of the China Manned Space Agency, Lin Xiqiang, the Chief Executive John Lee, the Director of the Liaison Office Zheng Yanxiong, Shenzhou-14 mission commander Chen Dong, Shenzhou-15 astronaut Zhang Lu and the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak.

“President Xi Jinping said that we should be brave in scaling the peak of space technology and to ensure that Chinese people march steadily and far in space, aspiring to realise the great dream of building China into a space power, ” the city’s leader John Lee said in Mandarin during a welcome banquet on Tuesday.

Assistant Chief Designer of the China Manned Space Program Dong Nengli attends a dialogue session with students at Pui Kiu Middle School on November 29, 2023. Photo: GovHK.
Assistant Chief Designer of the China Manned Space Program Dong Nengli attends a dialogue session with students at Pui Kiu Middle School on November 29, 2023. Photo: GovHK.

On Wednesday some 550 students from 20 primary schools and 690 students from 21 secondary schools met the visitors.

Shenzhou-13 astronaut Wang Yaping (third right) attends a dialogue session with students at Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School (Primary Division) on November 29, 2023. Photo: GovHK.
Shenzhou-13 astronaut Wang Yaping (third right) attends a dialogue session with students at Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School (Primary Division) on November 29, 2023. Photo: GovHK.

A show was hosted at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Wednesday evening to welcome the delegation, with documentaries showcasing the achievements of China’s Manned Space Programme since it was launched in 1992, along with performances by local artists and Hong Kong athletes.

The China manned space delegation met Hong Kong students on November 29, 2023. Photo shows Shenzhou-15 astronaut Zhang Lu (left) meeting s student at Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School (Secondary Division). Photo: GovHK.
The China manned space delegation met Hong Kong students on November 29, 2023. Photo shows Shenzhou-15 astronaut Zhang Lu (left) meeting s student at Hong Kong Baptist University Affiliated School Wong Kam Fai Secondary and Primary School (Secondary Division). Photo: GovHK.

The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau arranged a lunch for the delegation on Thursday with representatives of the technology sector and higher education.

Some space food are displayed in the China Manned Space Exhibition at Hong Kong Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
Some space food are displayed in the China Manned Space Exhibition at Hong Kong Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

An exhibition was launched on Thursday at the Hong Kong Science Museum. “I wish the exhibition can inspire Hong Kong people, especially young people, to gain an interest in space technology, lay a foundation in innovation and technology, and pursue their dreams in the field of aerospace, ” Eric Chan,  Chief Secretary for Administration, told the opening ceremony.

The China Manned Space Exhibition, presented by the local government and the China Manned Space Agency, runs until February 18, 2024 at the Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
The China Manned Space Exhibition, presented by the local government and the China Manned Space Agency, runs until February 18, 2024 at the Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
The China Manned Space Exhibition, presented by the local government and the China Manned Space Agency, runs until February 18, 2024 at the Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
An interactive exhibit allows players to simulate an astronaut controlling Shenzhou manned spacecraft to rendezvous and dock with the space station. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
An interactive exhibit allows players to simulate an astronaut controlling Shenzhou manned spacecraft to rendezvous and dock with the space station. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
The Long March-5B and the Long March-7 carrier rocket models are displayed in the China Manned Space Exhibition at Hong Kong Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.
The Long March-5B and the Long March-7 carrier rocket models are displayed in the China Manned Space Exhibition at Hong Kong Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

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Irene Chan is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press and has an interest in covering political and social change. She previously worked at Initium Media as chief editor for Hong Kong news and was a community organiser at the Society for Community Organisation serving the underprivileged. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Fudan University and a master’s degree in social work from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Irene is the recipient of two Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) awards and three honourable mentions for her investigative, feature and video reporting. She also received a Human Rights Press Award for multimedia reporting and an honourable mention for feature writing.