Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), expressed her gratitude and pride for being able to participate in the upcoming Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission as a payload specialist while meeting the press in the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China on Saturday.
The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:08 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the China Manned Space Agency announced at a press conference earlier on Saturday.
"As an ordinary resident of Hong Kong, becoming an astronaut and being selected for this mission is an invaluable opportunity -- something I never dared to dream of before. Right now, my heart is filled with gratitude and honor, and I am deeply aware of the glory and great responsibility that come with this role. First and foremost, I sincerely thank the motherland for providing us with this platform to realize our dreams. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hong Kong SAR government and the residents of Hong Kong for their full support," said Lai.
"I will give my all to complete every task. I will shoulder the mission of an astronaut, contributing my strength to the development of our motherland and our nation. I will not fall short of Hong Kong residents' expectations, and I shall live up to the great trust placed in me by the motherland," she said.
Lai, along with commander Zhu Yangzhu and astronaut Zhang Zhiyuan, will carry out the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceflight mission.
Payload specialist from HK proud to join Shenzhou-23 mission
Payload specialist from HK proud to join Shenzhou-23 mission
A Chinese envoy on Friday condemned any attacks targeting innocent civilians and called on the parties to the Ukraine conflict to cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
All parties should demonstrate political will and flexibility to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace agreement, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council emergency meeting held at the request of the Russian Federation following reports of an attack on a dormitory in Starobilsk in the Luhansk region.
"China has noted the reports of drone attacks on a school in Starobelsk and expresses deep concerns on the casualties it caused, especially those of students. China condemns any attacks targeting innocent civilians. The lingering Ukraine crisis, the ever intensified situation in the battlefield, and the immense miseries of ordinary people, are all things that no party, including China, would like to see," said Fu.
Fu called for calm and restraint, and for the parties to strictly observe international humanitarian law, effectively protect civilians' safety, and cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, so as to promote cooling of the situation, and strive to bring hope for an early return to peace.
China's position on the Ukraine issue is objective, impartial, and consistent, Fu said, adding that Chin is willing to work with the international community and continue playing a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis.
Russian UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council that the Ukrainian drone attack on a college dorm building on Friday has killed six people dead and injured 40 others.
China condemns attacks on civilians in Ukraine conflict
