Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) warmly congratulates Lai Ka-ying on becoming the first Hong Kong payload specialist selected for the Shenzhou-23 mission.
The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) today (May 23) extended its warmest congratulations to Lai Ka-ying on becoming the first Hong Kong payload specialist to be successfully selected for the Shenzhou-23 crew. She will take part in a six-month mission aboard the China Space Station. HKSTP said it is deeply inspired by this achievement and expressed sincere gratitude to the nation for its strong recognition and support of Hong Kong's research strength and innovation talent.
Sunny Chai Ngai-chiu, Chairman of HKSTP, said: "On behalf of HKSTP, I offer my most heartfelt congratulations to Lai Ka-ying on being selected as a national payload specialist. HKSTP has always been committed to driving a thriving innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem in Hong Kong, bringing together top-tier research talent, start-ups, research institutions and industry partners from Hong Kong and beyond to promote the commercialisation of research outcomes and industry-university-research collaboration.
"In 2022, HKSTP was appointed as one of the designated organisations for the initial recruitment of payload specialists, actively encouraging researchers in our park who met the preliminary requirements to apply. HKSTP feels deeply honoured to have been able to take part in the selection process for the nation's human spaceflight programme. Today, the selection of the first Hong Kong person as a payload specialist is a major source of encouragement for Hong Kong's I&T talent development and research capabilities."
He continued: "The Hong Kong SAR Government has been proactively deploying and strongly supporting the development of space technology. In particular, the Hong Kong Centre for Space Robotics and Energy, established with funding support from the InnoHK innovation research platform, has completed international cooperation projects commissioned by the China National Space Administration's Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Centre. This fully demonstrates Hong Kong's research capabilities in space robotics, energy systems and space-related technologies.
"HKSTP will continue to fully support relevant research institutions, including the InnoHK research platforms based at Hong Kong Science Park, and facilitate more cross-disciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector collaboration. We firmly believe this historic achievement will ignite the I&T dreams of a new generation of young people in Hong Kong and attract more talent to pursue research careers. HKSTP will continue to build an even more robust I&T ecosystem, create a broader platform for local research talent, and together contribute key strength to the nation's space endeavours and technological self-reliance."
The nation's space programme has achieved remarkable, world-renowned success. The fact that a Hong Kong researcher can personally take part in a national space mission is not only an important milestone for Hong Kong's I&T development but also a proud testament to Hong Kong's integration into the nation's broader technological advancement. As a payload specialist from the Hong Kong SAR, Lai Ka-ying will have the opportunity to conduct scientific research in a space environment. This marks a new level for Hong Kong's I&T development and fully demonstrates the nation's immense trust and affection for Hong Kong's young people, researchers and technology talent.
Hong Kong has long actively participated in the nation's space engineering development, contributing its expertise to many important missions — including providing systems, instruments and technical support for lunar and Mars exploration missions, as well as participating in space-based experimental payloads. These achievements fully demonstrate the strong foundations and international vision of Hong Kong's research teams in fields such as space technology, robotics, energy systems, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and data analytics. They also reflect that Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem possesses the capability to serve the nation's major scientific and technological missions.
Looking ahead, the nation's 15th Five-Year Plan emphasises technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, and explicitly supports the Hong Kong SAR in building itself into an international centre for innovation and technology. Lai Ka-ying becoming the first Hong Kong payload specialist will further inspire the younger generation in Hong Kong to pursue I&T and space technology, to develop their strengths and chase their "space dreams." HKSTP will take this as motivation to continue strengthening Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem, promoting close collaboration among research, industry, capital and talent, and injecting new energy into Hong Kong's I&T development.
HKSTP sincerely wishes Lai Ka-ying and the entire Shenzhou-23 crew a complete success in their mission. HKSTP said it will continue to work hand in hand with the SAR Government, research institutions, universities, enterprises and industry partners to actively promote Hong Kong's deeper integration into the nation's overall development, serve the nation's high-level technological self-reliance and self-strengthening, and together open a new chapter for Hong Kong's I&T and the nation's space programme.
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