Tiangong space class ignites aspirations for space exploration among HK, Macao students

Space dreams were ignited among students from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions (SAR) on Wednesday as they were treated to a special series of science lectures and experiments broadcast live from China's Tiangong space station, as the astronauts of the Shenzhou-23 space mission became teachers for the day.

Hundreds of students from both regions gathered at the Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College in the Hong Kong SAR for the special "Tiangong Class" session.

The event was jointly organized by the regional governments of both SARs and the China Manned Space Agency. It featured expert briefings, in-orbit demonstrations, and a question-and-answer session, offering a rare opportunity for a real-time dialogue between students and astronauts in space.

Among the three Shenzhou-23 crew members is payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from Hong Kong and a former student of the host school which screened the class. Her presence made the event especially meaningful for many students.

"Being able to participate in the 'Tiangong Class' at the school, watch Lai Ka-ying demonstrate space experiments, and talk with her made me feel very proud and a little bit in disbelief," said a student from the Tsuen Wan Public Ho Chuen Yiu Memorial College.

"Activities like the 'Tiangong Class' turn complex scientific knowledge into visible phenomena through such vivid and intuitive space experiments, it really stokes our curiosity and passion for scientific exploration. As young people in Macao, we get an up-close chance to learn about and experience the achievements of our country's space program. Such experiences nurture our love for the motherland and the Macao SAR, and strengthen our sense of identity and pride in national development," said a student from the Sacred Heart Canossian College who joined the activity.

Meanwhile, senior education officials from the HKSAR and Macao SAR spoke highly of the inspiring educational value of the "Tiangong Class" and its role in nurturing young people's interest in space science.

"First of all, it's thrilling to be present here today. It's a rare learning opportunity for young students in both Hong Kong and Macao. Regarding patriotic education and national education, we are all very proud to see the rapid development of our country's aerospace industry and honored to be a part of it. We also hope to make this a part of our future dreams," said Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR government.

"Today, we are very honored to bring over 60 teachers and students from Macao to Hong Kong, especially to Lai Ka-ying's alma mater, to participate in this important 'Tiangong Class' activity. Some of our students are very interested in the lives of our astronauts in space, their work, and the hardships of their training. The Tiangong Class has also been broadcast live to all primary and secondary schools across Macao, enabling students to learn about the development of the country's space industry. In my view, this serves as a vivid lesson in science and technology as well as an important session of patriotic education," said Kong Chi Meng, director of Macao's Education and Youth Development Bureau.

The Shenzhou-23 crew blasted off at the end of May to begin their mission, which marked the 40th flight of China's manned spaceflight program. Notably, one of the crew members will be selected to complete a one-year-long stint in space, with the other two returning after around six months.

Tiangong space class ignites aspirations for space exploration among HK, Macao students

After more than three months at sea, members of China's 16th Arctic Ocean expedition have jointly created a painting that captures both the triumphs and trials of polar scientific research.

Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the expedition deployed four ships, Xuelong, Xuelong 2, Jidi, and Tansuo 3, to study extreme environmental changes in the Arctic against the backdrop of accelerating global warming. On September 29, Xuelong and Xuelong 2 returned to Shanghai after completing their missions.

During the voyage, China Media Group (CMG) reporters aboard Xuelong invited nearly 100 crew members to collaborate on a canvas, sharing their experiences. The painting depicts the difficulties and challenges they faced, the honors and expectations of their research, and the images of those dedicated to science.

Before any crew member ever picked up a brush, the Arctic had already sketched the background with its extreme weather. Strong winds, torrents, and a harsh environment posed major challenges for the researchers.

"After staying outside for some five or ten minutes, our hands would already be frozen red. When we reached the trough of the waves [on a boat], it would look as if the waves were coming right over our heads," recalled Zhu Chengwei, an expedition member.

Despite the hardship, the researchers successfully tested and used domestically produced advanced ocean observation equipment in polar research -- one of their proudest moments, which they recorded on the canvas.

Qin Chuan, captain of the Xuelong ocean team, chose to paint a domestically produced monitor float.

"This is an Argo float we deployed, which automatically monitors ocean profiles. It has great significance for understanding the basic marine environment, and it's made in China," he said.

Xie Haixiang, director of the Xuelong laboratory, sketched a fundamental research equipment for the trip.

"I will draw a CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth instrument). The CTD is the most important equipment for ocean surveys, providing the most basic data and water samples," he said.

"Only by carrying equipment onto the Arctic sea ice yourself and lowering the instruments, can you get what you want. For instance, we take a little ocean water, and analyze what's in it, to understand the changes each year. Global warming needs to be understood through different dimensions," recalled researcher Zhu.

Beyond the canvas, what stands out even more striking are the moments of dedication: veteran members leading newcomers onto the ice, a group holding its ground in level-8 gales and heavy snow, and 30 people relaying to recover equipment stuck in the ice.

The most important element, beyond any record or image in the painting, is this group of expedition members who fear no hardship.

"Whenever I think of the polar spirit, countless images of those standing at the very front would flash before my eyes," Zhu said.

"What we have done today will benefit future generations. Although we are doing something that may seem very insignificant, I believe it will surely prove its worth in the future,"said Ning Wenfeng, another team member.

China's 16th Arctic expedition crews paint portrait of proud polar expedition moments, hardships