In Pictures: Hong Kong welcomes China manned space delegation with dinner, major show and exhibition
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong authorities have laid on a big welcome for a delegation representing China’s manned space exploration programme, including a major show at the Hong Kong Coliseum and an exhibition at the science museum.
The delegation of 17 astronauts and space engineering experts arrived on Tuesday for a four-day visit.
Meeting the press on Tuesday afternoon, its leader Lin Xijiang, who is the deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, said in Mandarin that their visit was intended to report developments in manned space exploration to the people of Hong Kong and Macau, and share the joy of successfully building the Chinese space station.
Chen Dong, the commander of the Chinese spacecraft Shenzhou-14, described the Chinese space station as democratic, open and diverse.
“President Xi Jinping said that we should be brave in scaling the peak of space technology and to ensure that Chinese people march steadily and far in space, aspiring to realise the great dream of building China into a space power, ” the city’s leader John Lee said in Mandarin during a welcome banquet on Tuesday.
On Wednesday some 550 students from 20 primary schools and 690 students from 21 secondary schools met the visitors.
A show was hosted at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Wednesday evening to welcome the delegation, with documentaries showcasing the achievements of China’s Manned Space Programme since it was launched in 1992, along with performances by local artists and Hong Kong athletes.
The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau arranged a lunch for the delegation on Thursday with representatives of the technology sector and higher education.
An exhibition was launched on Thursday at the Hong Kong Science Museum. “I wish the exhibition can inspire Hong Kong people, especially young people, to gain an interest in space technology, lay a foundation in innovation and technology, and pursue their dreams in the field of aerospace, ” Eric Chan, Chief Secretary for Administration, told the opening ceremony.
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