At least 2 Hong Kong candidates in final round of China’s astronaut selection drive, city’s technology minister reveals
- Technology secretary Sun Dong says elite few in third round of China Manned Space Agency recruitment comprise both local men and women
- Details released mark latest development in unprecedented move by Beijing to recruit payload specialists from Hong Kong and Macau for space programme
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong gave updates on the country’s fourth intake of astronauts on Wednesday, saying: “There are candidates from Hong Kong progressing to the third selection stage, both men and women.”
State representatives would visit the city next month to further evaluate the candidates, Sun added, without revealing how many people had made it through.
The elite few currently still in the selection pool were among a local batch recommended for the national programme as payload specialists.
The position requires a strong background in science or engineering, and involves overseeing highly complex or classified on-board equipment and tasks such as taking astronautical measurements.
The final results will be announced after the three rounds of selection.
“We look forward to announcing some good news by the end of this year,” Sun said.
