Hongkongers to get chance to talk to city’s first astronaut in next 2 months

Hong Kong’s first astronaut is expected to chat with residents from the lofty heights of the Tiangong space station in the next two months, the city’s technology minister has said. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong also said on Sunday that Hong Kong could formulate a new strategy to better align with the country’s aerospace development. “I hope that within the next month or two, we can arrange a public dialogue with Lai Ka-ying,” he told a radio programme, referring to the city’s first astronaut. “We originally planned to connect local students with Lai Ka-ying for a ‘Tiangong classroom’ lecture during the mission. However, due to overwhelming interest from her colleagues and various sectors, we are still coordinating the arrangements.” He said that more details would be shared later. Lai made history last month as part of the three-person Shenzhou-23 mission that blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwestern mainland China headed to the Tiangong space station. In addition to being Hong Kong’s first astronaut, she is also China’s first female payload expert and the fourth woman the country has sent into space. She is expected to remain at the space station for about six months. The technology minister earlier said that out of the nearly 120 applications received when local recruitment for payload specialists began in the second half of 2022, only 40 candidates advanced to the second round, adding that Lai had been a clear standout. He noted on Sunday that mainland authorities were initially concerned that few Hongkongers would apply during the recruitment phase and were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who expressed an interest. Recalling Lai’s interview, Sun described her as composed, poised and humble. He added that she had exceptional all-round qualities and that her Mandarin had improved rapidly. Before her selection, Lai was attached to police’s technical services division and later transferred to the Security Bureau. Meanwhile, Sun said the government could map out new strategies for the midstream and downstream sectors in the future to align with the nation’s aerospace development. He said the city’s aerospace sector remained in its infancy and authorities were accelerating its development, pursuing measures such as providing funding for several universities to advance space technology research. The minister earlier revealed that the government would establish a space manufacturing research centre by this year, which would leverage 3D printing and artificial intelligence-based technologies to meet the demands of the country’s developing space industry. Sun said Hong Kong’s status as an international financial hub with mature networks for global exchange and talent mobility could help the country’s aerospace technology industry expand globally. He also said that the city could establish itself as an international platform for big data services. Sun also noted that the government was considering developing “marine technology” as an emerging sector, which could encompass marine intelligence and equipment, such as underwater robotics, electric boats and smart ports. Marine technology was vital to consolidating and elevating the city’s status as a global shipping hub while fostering future economic diversification, he explained Lawmaker Duncan Chiu, who is currently conducting field research in the mainland city of Changchun in Jilin province, said he believed that Hong Kong could capitalise on significant opportunities in the downstream aerospace sector. Numerous aerospace initiatives with strong potential for commercialisation existed, he explained. “I hope society can further promote the transition of aerospace research into commercial applications,” he said, adding that various components originally designed for space could be adapted for industrial use. The lawmaker said he hoped to identify promising aerospace technologies that could be introduced to Hong Kong. Legislator Johnny Ng Kit-chong echoed Chiu’s view, saying that Hong Kong must not only sustain momentum in space research but also cultivate a more conducive ecosystem to attract mainland aerospace enterprises to position the city as a regional headquarters for the satellite industry.

Hongkongers to get chance to talk to city’s first astronaut in next 2 months

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘I hope that within the next month or two, we can arrange a public dialogue with Lai Ka-ying,’ technology minister Sun Dong says

‘I hope that within the next month or two, we can arrange a public dialogue with Lai Ka-ying,’ technology minister Sun Dong says