Young Hong Kong and Macao Students Engage with Dialogues with Shenzhou-23 Crew in "Tiangong Class" Space Education Session

"Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session held successfully as HK and Macao young people experience remarkable achievements of the country's manned space development 

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government, the Macao SAR Government, and the China Manned Space Agency successfully organised the "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session today (September 9), enabling young people from Hong Kong and Macao to engage in interactive dialogues with space experts and the Shenzhou-23 crew currently carrying out a manned space mission on the Chinese Space Station. Mission commander, Dr Zhu Yangzhu, astronaut Zhang Zhiyuan and Hong Kong's first payload expert Dr Lai Ka-ying, served as "space teachers" to deliver expert lectures to students, conduct real-time science experiments, and engage in interactive "dialogue between space and Earth".

Held at Dr Lai's alma mater, Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College, "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session featured in-orbit demonstrations, expert lectures and a question-and-answer session with students. Over 200 participants attended, including primary and secondary school teachers and pupils from Hong Kong and Macao, tertiary students, researchers and technology professionals, as well as representatives from youth organisations. The session lasted approximately one hour and thirty minutes, during which Dr Lai introduced the operational process of the Multi-Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO). Developed by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the MUSICO undertakes the important task of monitoring global greenhouse gases, contributing to national aerospace programmes and global sustainable development.

The astronauts introduced the facilities of the Tiangong Space Station to the students, including the core module instruments and experimental facilities, the space vegetable garden, the space kitchen and space food, and shared their daily lives and scientific research work on the space station. The astronauts also gave live demonstrations of fascinating science experiments, such as the impossible wringing-wet towel and the water sphere table tennis experiment in a microgravity environment in space. During the "dialogue between space and Earth", student and youth representatives from Hong Kong and Macao seized this rare opportunity to pose questions to the astronauts, engaging in space-earth interactive dialogues.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, expressed his gratitude to the China Manned Space Agency for its support, as well as to the various organisations and departments for their joint efforts, which have enabled students from Hong Kong and Macao to learn from the astronauts aboard the Tiangong Space Station and experience the lofty aspirations and formidable capabilities of the country's aerospace development.

He said that, over the more than 30 years of the development of China's manned space programme, every step has embodied the Chinese nation's indomitable spirit of self-improvement and courage in exploration. When the delegation from China's manned space programme visited Hong Kong in 2023, it sowed three important seeds for the city: a seed to foster national pride, a seed to explore science and technology, and a seed to encourage the pursuit of dreams. As Hong Kong's aerospace research and development has progressed from ground-based support to in-orbit operations in space, enabling Hong Kong people to explore the cosmos, it demonstrates that these seeds have not only taken root and sprouted, but are also thriving.

As the Hong Kong SAR Government is currently organising science popularisation and awareness-raising activities under the theme "A Shared Cosmic Vision for National Rejuvenation", Mr Lee encouraged all sectors of the society, particularly young people, to actively participate. He also expressed the hope that the younger generation would take astronauts as role models, equip themselves diligently, boldly pursue their dreams, and, through wisdom and hard work, serving the nation in building a strong aerospace country, thereby writing a brilliant chapter for the Chinese nation.

Under the themed publicity campaign of "A Shared Cosmic Vision for National Rejuvenation", the HKSAR Government will continue to roll out a variety of popular science education and publicity events to ignite young people's passion for aerospace technology and their spirit of exploration. Information on activities are available on the dedicated webpage (www.itib.gov.hk/en/payloadexpert), and members of the public are welcome to participate actively. Content on the website will be updated from time to time and members of the public could be kept posted on latest updates of the Shenzhou-23 mission.

Guests attending today's "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session included the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Dr Kong Chi-meng. Local aerospace experts participating in the lectures included Professor Wu Bo of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Su Hui of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Professor Yao Zhonghua of the University of Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session today (September 9). Photo shows Mr Lee (centre) engaging in a rare space-to-Earth dialogue with the crew members of Shenzhou-23. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session today (September 9). Photo shows crew members of Shenzhou-23 Dr Lai Ka-ying (centre on screen), Mr Zhu Yangzhu (right on screen), and Mr Zhang Zhiyuan (left on screen), interacting and answering questions from students from Hong Kong and Macao. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, attended the "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session today (September 9). Photo shows Mr Lee (second row, fifth right) and student representatives. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, speaks at the "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session today (September 9). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CE thanks LegCo for passing and supporting motion on Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan and Motion of Thanks in respect of 2026 Policy Address

The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, today (October 9) expressed his gratitude to the Legislative Council (LegCo) for passing and supporting the motion on the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (2026-2030) and the Motion of Thanks in respect of the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address.

Mr Lee said, "The HKSAR Government formulated Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, which proactively aligns with the National 15th Five-Year Plan, leading Hong Kong in better seizing development opportunities and better integrating into and serving the overall national development. This is of great significance. Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan is a forward-looking, strategic, and directional guiding document, while the 2026 Policy Address serves as an annual action plan on the implementation of the Five-Year Plan. The two documents are closely interconnected, and during the formulation process, opinions from all sectors were widely gathered. This year's Policy Address is entitled 'A Strategic Vision for a Bright New Era, Driving Reform and Boosting Development, Unleashing Opportunities and Enhancing Livelihood'. It sets out wide-ranging policy measures across various fields to take forward the initiatives for the first year in line with our five-year blueprint, which creates more development opportunities, enables the public to share economic dividends, and enhances social well-being.

"I express my gratitude to LegCo Members for engaging in in-depth discussions and offering diverse views during the debate on Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and the Policy Address for three consecutive days. Their discussions covered areas including advancing the development of the 'four centres and one hub'; leveraging Hong Kong's international advantages; expediting the development of the Northern Metropolis; deepening the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and participating in high-quality co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative; enhancing social well-being in a tangible way; as well as adopting a holistic approach to development and security. The Government will carefully analyse and study all views to ensure more effective implementation of relevant measures.

"My team and I will continue to work closely with the LegCo to ensure positive interaction between the executive authorities and the legislature, with mutual checks and balances and complementarity. I firmly believe that, under the principles of an executive-led system and 'patriots administering Hong Kong', the executive authorities and the legislature will continue to pool their strengths and work together to lead the community in better developing the economy and improving people's livelihood."

Source: AI-found images