China announces first astronaut candidates from Hong Kong

On Tuesday, China announced the first astronaut candidates from Hong Kong, with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu calling it "a glorious page" in the city's history.

The China Manned Space Agency said a payload specialist from Hong Kong and another from Macau were among ten candidates for the country's fourth batch of astronauts.

Lee said the selection made the city proud as it is the first time a Hong Kong citizen has been selected as a preparatory astronaut under the national manned space program. 

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Central Government for its care for Hong Kong and for the opportunity for Hong Kong people to take part in the recruitment exercise,” he added.

The Hong Kong leader said the government will render full support to the payload specialist and the family members for contributing to the mission of national glory.

It was learned that female chief inspector of the Police Force, Lai Ka-ying, is the one selected, according to sources told Sing Tao Daily, The Standard’s sister publication.

Lai has obtained a doctoral degree and has been training in Beijing since last year, having qualified as an astronaut.

Separately, the Macau government also issued a statement Tuesday, calling the selection of one of its own "an honour" that sent "a strong inspirational message to the young people of Macau".

The China Manned Space Agency said the decision to select astronauts from the two SARs "has garnered strong support and enthusiastic participation from local communities".

Plans for China's "space dream" have been put into overdrive under Chinese President Xi Jinping. Beijing has heavily invested in its space program over the past decade.

The country notched a win this month after its probe carrying samples from the far side of the Moon started its journey back to Earth.

Other achievements included building a space station called Tiangong as well as landing robotic rovers on Mars and the Moon.

China aims to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030 and plans to build a base on the lunar surface.

(Staff reporter and AFP)