Policewoman Lai Ka-ying is Hong Kong’s first to land prestigious space role

A female chief inspector of the Hong Kong Police Force, Lai Ka-ying, has been selected as the city’s first-ever payload specialist in the National Manned Space Program, according to Sing Tao Headline, The Standard’s sister publication.

Sources said Lai is currently seconded to the Security Bureau. She has obtained a doctoral degree and has been training in Beijing since last year, having qualified as an astronaut.

Details of the selection are pending an official announcement from Chinese authorities.

The country launched the recruitment of its fourth batch of astronauts in October 2022, aiming to recruit 12 to 14 astronauts, including two payload specialists who will be responsible for carrying out scientific and applied research in space stations.

For the first time, applications for payload specialists from the Hong Kong SAR were accepted, with candidates from 11 local universities, government research and development centers, research companies and government departments.

China Manned Space Agency Deputy Director Lin Xiqiang said last month that the selection work for the fourth batch of astronauts has been "basically completed" and the authority will release relevant information soon, according to Xinhua news agency.

Lin also said that these astronauts will carry out follow-up missions with the active astronauts in the space station and "help achieve the goal of putting Chinese astronauts on the moon before 2030."

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HK policewoman 'selected' for space program

Prestigious space roles at fingertips of locals