China manned space delegation commences four-day visit in HK; some 5,000 free tickets to variety shows

The space delegation led by the Deputy Director General of the China Manned Space Agency Lin Xiqiang commenced a four-day visit to Hong Kong starting Tuesday.

The China Manned Space delegation comprises of astronauts who participated in the construction of the Chinese Space Station. 

They include Shenzhou-12 astronaut Liu Boming, Shenzhou-13 astronaut Wang Yaping, Shenzhou-14 astronaut Chen Dong, Shenzhou-15 astronaut Zhang Lu, as well as experts from related fields of the manned space engineering systems.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu extended his warm welcome to the delegation and gave thanks to the Central Government for the arrangements. 

“Through the delegation’s visit, Hong Kong people can share in the nation’s pride of China’s manned space development at close range, and develop a deeper understanding of the country’s developments in aerospace technology,” Lee said.

The 17-member delegation was welcomed by Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen, Liaison Office Deputy Director Lu Xinning, and the acting commissioner of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Li Yongsheng.

A hundred schoolchildren also greeted them by waving the national and the HKSAR regional flags.

During the visit, the delegation will attend a media briefing to introduce the latest developments of the manned space program, officiate at the opening ceremony of the “China Manned Space Exhibition”, and meet with representatives of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector, as well as teachers and students. 

The delegation will also attend a variety show at the Hong Kong Coliseum to mark Hong Kong’s welcoming of the China Manned Space delegation. 

The Home Affairs Department will distribute a total of about 5,000 free tickets with assigned seat numbers for the variety show to members of the public at the 20 Home Affairs Enquiry Centres starting from 1 pm today.

The limited number of free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and each person may obtain a maximum of two tickets while stocks last. 

The variety show will broadcast live at 5 pm tomorrow (Wed) on TVB Jade. The show will also re-run at 1.15 pm on December 2 on TVB Jade.

(Updated at 15.41)