Hong Kong takes giant leap with first astronaut
- In a story sure to inspire others, the city is no longer just an observer cheering for heroes from mainland China as they conquer new frontiers
Hong Kong is over the moon after a local woman made it through a highly competitive recruitment process to become its first payload specialist in the national space programme. The outcome is a point of pride, underlines our talent, and offers a vote of confidence from the country for the city’s pursuit of innovation and technological development.
Hopes were high following the announcement in 2022 that the next intake of astronauts by the China Manned Space Agency would be opened up to the two special administrative regions for the first time. The good news finally came on Tuesday when a Hongkonger and a Macau resident were among 10 chosen in the fourth batch of national preparatory astronauts.
Payload experts are usually scientists or engineers who manage highly complex or classified on-board equipment, and perform scientific activities such as astronautical measurements. Sources say the city honour has gone to Lai Ka-ying, a police chief inspector and tech expert with a doctorate.
She was attached to the force’s secret technical services before being transferred to the Security Bureau.
Describing it as a “glorious chapter” in the city’s history, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu thanked the central government for providing the opportunity for Hongkongers to participate. “It’s only under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle that the SAR is eligible for selection in the national space programme, as the programme is a national mission,” Lee said.
It is also in recognition of the city’s aspirations of becoming an international innovation and technology hub, a mission under the latest national development blueprint. The government should continue to invest on this front, including grooming and attracting more talent and strengthening policy and institutional support.
Once unimaginable, Hong Kong having an astronaut is now a dream come true. This would not have been possible without the country’s leaps and bounds in space exploration and our unique governing formula.
The city is no longer just an observer cheering for mainland heroes as they conquer new frontiers. Hopefully, this story will touch a wider and younger audience and inspire bigger dreams.
