HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire – 26 May 2026 – At 11.08pm on May 24, Dr Lai Ka-ying made history by becoming the first Hong Kong astronaut to blast off into space aboard the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship. This momentous occasion also launched a new era for Hong Kong's development of innovation and technology (I&T) as well as the city's participation in national development under China's 15th Five-Year Plan.
Congratulating Dr Lai on her achievement, John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said that the HKSAR can "transform from a 'supporter' of the country's great aerospace endeavours into an 'executor' ".
Dr Lai Ka-ying (left) made history by becoming the first Hong Kong astronaut to blast off into space aboard the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship.
"This not only demonstrates the HKSAR's capability in contributing to the country's development into an aerospace power, but also showcases how Hong Kong could better integrate into and serve the overall national development," Mr Lee said.
"This mission is of great significance, as it is not only the first manned spaceflight mission during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, but also the first time for a payload expert from the HKSAR to participate in it."
The Shenzhou-23 crew will conduct on-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-21 crew. The crew, including Dr Lai, will stay in the space station and conduct multiple experiments and applications in various fields such as scientific applications.
The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Professor Sun Dong, led a delegation to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to witness this historic moment. Members of the delegation included other government representatives, I&T experts, youths and students.
"I truly believe this is a great demonstration of Hong Kong integrating into and serving the overall national development through concrete actions, while contributing our strength in I&T," Professor Sun said.
" 'Science and technology is primary productive force, talent is primary resource, and innovation is primary driver of growth.' The HKSAR Government will continue to drive the development of I&T, accelerate the establishment of an international I&T centre, and make greater contributions to building our nation into a strong power in science, technology, and aerospace."
Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, Mr Ivan Lee, said that the Government had been providing funding support for universities and research institutions in conducting aerospace technology-related projects through the Innovation and Technology Fund.
"In 2024, we launched a special call for funding applications, inviting universities to submit project proposals related to aerospace technology. Following a selection process, we supported six projects. Among them was the Multi‑Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO) developed by a team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology," he said.
On the Tiangong Space Station, Dr Lai will conduct experiments including operating the MUSICO — the world's first lightweight, high-resolution synergistic observatory for carbon dioxide and methane emission point sources.
The Long March 2F Y23 carrier rocket carrying the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship launched successfully at 11.08pm on May 24 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr Lai is a Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police Force. In the recruitment exercise of China's fourth batch of preparatory astronauts launched in 2022, she was successfully selected as a payload expert and was deployed to the China Astronaut Research and Training Center for training.
Before embarking on the historic spaceflight, Dr Lai expressed hope that it would inspire more Hong Kong youths to devote themselves to the field of I&T, thereby contributing to the country's scientific and technological self-reliance and strength.
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SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 May 2026 - Parents know that good gut health matters, but terms like gut microbiota, prebiotics, and probiotics can often feel overwhelming and difficult to understand. This World Digestive Health Day (WDHD), Friso, a leading nutrition formula milk brand with over 150 years of Dutch dairy expertise, is simplifying the science behind digestion by bringing to life the concept of a "gut garden" through the sixth edition of its long-standing Good Poop Matters, Baby! campaign.
Through The Secret Garden to Good Poop, Friso aims to help families better understand how everyday habits and nutrition can nurture a healthy digestive system in young children. Over the years, the national campaign has emphasised the important roles a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep play in helping young children achieve good poop – and this year's edition spotlights what happens inside the gut, empowering parents with practical ways to support good digestion from within.
Breaking Down the Science of Gut Health
While many parents recognise the importance of good gut health, concepts such as gut microbiota, prebiotics, and probiotics can often feel complex and difficult to grasp.
To bridge this gap, Friso brings these ideas to life with The Secret Garden to Good Poop. Much like a garden, a child's gut needs the right balance of nutrients to thrive. Through this "gut garden" concept, Friso aims to help families better understand everyday habits and the role nutrition plays in nurturing a healthy digestive system, empowering parents with practical knowledge and simple steps to support their child's digestion and overall wellbeing.
"At Friso, we believe good gut health plays a foundational role in a child's growth and development. Through The Secret Garden to Good Poop, we aim to simplify complex concepts like gut microbiota into something parents can easily understand," said Carmen Lim, Brand and Digital Manager, Friso Singapore. "Through an immersive garden experience, we bring Good Poop Matters, Baby! to life, educating families on gut health and showing how daily care and nutrition nurture good digestion, helping build trust from the inside out."
Bringing The Secret Garden to Good Poop to Life
To celebrate WDHD, Friso will host The Secret Garden to Good Poop, an invite-only experiential event held in partnership with The Sundowner, a nature experience centre located at Bukit Timah Fire Station. Invitees will be guided through a curated programme focused on foundational gut health education, including a farm-to-table pizza making workshop that encourages children to "eat the rainbow", bringing the 'gut garden' concept to life.
"At The Sundowner, we've always believed in creating meaningful, nature-led experiences that reconnect families with where their food comes from," said Clarence Chua, Founder, The Sundowner. "Partnering with Friso for The Secret Garden to Good Poop allows us to bring this philosophy to life in a way that is both fun and educational, helping our participants understand the connection between nature, nutrition, and gut health through hands-on activities."
As part of the experience, parents will also gain insights from registered dietitian, Sherllie Kartika, on how to support their child's gut health through everyday nutrition and habits.
Said Sherllie, "Many parents recognise the importance of gut health but may feel overwhelmed by terms like microbiota or pre/probiotics. Using a 'gut garden' analogy can make the concept more approachable, helping parents visualise how everyday habits, such as offering a variety of foods, help nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut. When children's digestive systems are supported in this way, they are better able to digest and absorb the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development."
Friso's Commitment to Care Takes Flight to the Netherlands
As part of its broader commitment to children's gut health, Friso also highlights the role careful milk processing can play in supporting digestion. It was found that high heat treatment can change the structure of milk protein, potentially affecting how easily they are digested. In contrast, gentler processing (or mild heat treatment) approaches may help preserve milk protein closer to its natural state, so it is easy to digest.
This philosophy came to life during a recent trip to the Netherlands, where local singer-songwriter Derrick Hoh and content creator Jeanette Ong visited Friso's farms, R&D facilities, and production sites to better understand how the brand approaches milk production and nutritional care from source to formula.
A Continued Commitment to Gut Health
Since its launch in 2020, Friso's Good Poop Matters, Baby! has been leading advocate for children's gut health in Singapore. Through education, partnerships, and engaging experiences over the years, the campaign has helped parents better understand the role of digestion in their child's overall wellbeing.
For more information on Friso's Good Poop Matters, Baby! campaign, please visit friso.com.sg/good-poop-matters-baby.
Hashtag: #Friso
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About Friso and FrieslandCampina
Produced and packed in The Netherlands, Friso is present in over 25 countries and ranked as one of the Top 52 formula milk brands in Asia. FRISO is a brand under one of the world's largest dairy companies, FrieslandCampina, which is also a cooperative jointly owned by over 18,000 dairy farmer members from over 12,000 dairy farms in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Founded in 1871, FrieslandCampina has over 150 years of expertise in milk and its application, allowing it to produce a wide range of quality, nutrient-rich foods including dairy-based beverages, toddler nutrition, cheese, functional dairy-based ingredients and more for consumers, businesses, and industries worldwide.
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