Hong Kong astronaut in top shape for China's Shenzhou-23 mission: spokesman

A female astronaut from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is in top shape for China's upcoming Shenzhou-23 mission, said Zhang Jingbo, spokesman of the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), at a press conference ahead of the launch of the crewed spaceship on Saturday.

According to CMSA, the Shenzhou-23 spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 23:08 Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

Chinese astronauts Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying will carry out the mission, and Zhu will be the commander, the spokesman announced at the press conference.

Zhang said Lai, the first astronaut from HKSAR, is selected as a payload specialist for the mission.

"Astronaut Lai Ka-ying joined the team in August 2024. Since then, she has completed over 200 training modules across eight major categories, totaling more than 1,700 training hours. She has passed the flight qualification assessment with excellent grades. In accordance with the mission schedule, she has completed intensive training for flight tasks including space scientific research and technical experiment, management of the space station combination, and the operation of the crewed spacecraft and the robotic arms. She has met all the requirements of the mission and will serve as the payload expert for the Shenzhou-23 mission. She's currently in good condition and cooperating with the other teammates very well," Zhang said.

The spokesman noted Hong Kong boasts international strength to contribute to the country's space program.

"We believe that under the policy of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong will fully leverage its international strength to further attract and cultivate top sci-tech innovation talents and make contributions to the nation's manned space program," he said.

Shenzhou-23 is the seventh crewed mission during the application and development stage of China's space station, and the 40th flight mission of China's manned space program.

Leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and the Netherlands on Friday warned Israel against further settlement expansion in the West Bank, saying such moves undermine stability and prospects for a two-state solution.

In a joint statement published by the British Prime Minister's Office, the leaders said the situation in the West Bank had "deteriorated significantly," with settler violence at "unprecedented levels."

They said Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law, adding that construction in the E1 area would divide the West Bank in two and mark a serious breach of international law.

The leaders urged businesses not to bid for construction tenders for E1 or other settlement developments, citing legal and reputation risks.

The statement reaffirmed support for a negotiated two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security.