A police inspector has become the first Hongkonger selected for China’s space programme as a “preparatory astronaut,” local media reported on Tuesday.
Police Chief Inspector Lai Ka-ying was named in reports as the first Hongkonger picked for the possible space role, although authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the candidate.
The China Manned Space Agency announced on Tuesday that a payload specialist from Hong Kong and another from Macau were among 10 candidates selected for the country’s fourth batch of astronauts.
Payload specialists carry out scientific and applied research in space missions.
Beijing aims to launch a manned lunar landing mission by 2030. Huang Weifen, chief designer of China’s manned space project, said the selection also included spacecraft pilots picked from the military, adding that they would be trained for a space station mission and moon landing, according to state-owned broadcaster CCTV.
According to local media reports, Lai is a chief inspector in her 30s who holds a PhD in computational and information science-related subjects. She previously worked for the Security Bureau and is currently stationed with a special police intelligence division named Technical Services Division.
Announcing the news on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee said the selection “writes [a] glorious history for [Hong Kong] and makes the whole of Hong Kong proud.”
“This is the first time that a Hong Kong… citizen has been selected as a preparatory astronaut, specifically a payload specialist, under the National Manned Space Programme after an extremely rigorous selection process. The payload specialist may have the opportunity to conduct scientific research in space and contribute to the country’s aerospace development,” he said.
He added that authorities would later disclose the identity of the candidate, citing “usual practice” of the country’s space programme.
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said on Tuesday the candidate stood out from a pool of 120 applicants after three rounds of selection that began in 2022. He said they would soon begin training in mainland China, and the city would provide necessary assistance.
Sun added that this was the first time Hongkongers had been allowed to audition to join China’s space programme, and residents would be able to participate in other areas as the city integrated into the country’s development plan.
The Macau government also issued a statement on Tuesday after a Macau resident was also selected to join the fourth batch of astronauts. “It is an honour for [Macau] and sends a strong message of encouragement to Macao young people,” a government spokesperson said.
The candidates will receive training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre in Beijing, according to the statement.
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