The successful launch of the Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship on Sunday has sparked widespread pride and excitement across Hong Kong, with particular focus on payload expert Lai Ka-ying, who is the first astronaut from the Special Administrative Region.
The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off at 23:08 Beijing Time (1508 GMT) on Sunday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The Shenzhou-23 crew consists of mission commander Zhu Yangzhu and co-astronauts Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai Ka-ying.
The 43-year-old Lai Ka-ying has made history as the first astronaut from Hong Kong to travel to space, and the country's fourth female space traveler.
Ahead of the launch, residents, young people and representatives gathered at a community center in Hong Kong to watch the live broadcast aired from the launch center, witnessing the historic moment.
Attendees viewed the successful launch and Lai's participation as a powerful symbol of the Special Administrative Region's deepening role in China's national development, stressing inspirational impact on the region's future and young people.
"I am very excited and proud. This is not only her individual accomplishment but also, more significantly, an important milestone representing Hong Kong's proactive integration into the nation's aerospace development. Lai Ka-ying's experience inspires us, showing that with effort, persistence and the courage to chase dreams, anyone can have the opportunity to make great contributions to the motherland," said Kwok Fu-yung, member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR.
"Hong Kong people's participation in the national space cause reflects support and trust from the motherland. Hong Kong people must have the confidence and determination to actively integrate into the overall national development," said Gong Junlong, chairman of Hong Kong Federation of Guangdong Community Organizations.
"I firmly believe Lai Ka-ying's space journey will motivate more Hong Kong youth," said Sze Ching-lau, chairman of Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations.
Hong Kong residents see historic milestone as local astronaut joins Shenzhou-23 mission
