Space dream comes true: Lai Ka-ying expresses deep gratitude Ahead of Sunday’s historic Shenzhou-23 launch

Hong Kong’s first-ever astronaut shared her profound gratitude and sense of honor on Saturday during a media appearance ahead of Sunday’s launch of the Shenzhou-23 crewed spacecraft.

Groundbreaking milestone for Hong Kong

During a press conference at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Saturday morning, payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, alongside commander Zhu Yangzhu and pilot Zhang Zhiyuan, met with local and international media.

Reflecting on her selection, Lai expressed that as an ordinary citizen from Hong Kong, being able to join the astronaut ranks and participate in this mission is an incredibly precious memory and something she had never dared to dream of in the past.

She conveyed deep thankfulness for the national platform that allowed her to fulfill her aspirations and offered sincere thanks to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and its residents for their unwavering support throughout her intense training.

Unconditional family support and dedication

Lai acknowledged that the path to the launchpad has been incredibly grueling, expressing that her presence on the crew was made possible only through the rigorous guidance of her instructors and the dedication of the entire aerospace team.

She also shared heartfelt appreciation for her family, who supported her pursuit of this dream unconditionally.

Looking forward, Lai promised to put forth her absolute best effort to complete all mission objectives and vowed to uphold the responsibilities of her role, stating that she will not disappoint the high expectations of the people of Hong Kong.

Commander Zhu also spoke at the conference, sharing that leading the team is an immense responsibility and that his primary focus is ensuring flawless preparation and executing a zero-error mission.

Linking the Lion Rock spirit to space exploration

When asked for her advice to the younger generation in Hong Kong, Lai emphasized that the future of the city relies on the development of its youth, noting that Hong Kong has always shared a close, unbreakable bond with the motherland as both a witness and an active contributor to its progress.

Having grown up in the city, she explained that the famous Lion Rock spirit—characterized by resilience in adversity and a refusal to give up—is deeply ingrained in her heart.

She noted that this local mindset is perfectly aligned with the spirit of space exploration, as both require courage, tenacity, and a commitment to overcome challenges.

A message of hope for Hong Kong

Concluding her address with an encouraging message, Lai told Hong Kong residents that no dream is too far away if one holds love for their country and life, suggesting that everyone can shine in their own way by contributing their wisdom and strength.

She wrapped up her press conference by speaking in Cantonese, thanking the public for their continuous support and care, and expressing her firm belief that working together will lead to a brighter tomorrow for all.

𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓