The crew of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission includes Hong Kong's first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying. Chief Executive John Lee posted a video on social media showing a recent video call with Lai Ka-ying. During the call, John Lee expressed his pride in Lai Ka-ying serving as a payload specialist in the nation's manned spaceflight mission and offered his blessings. He also asked about her training and living conditions, expressing his hope that Lai Ka-ying would continue to write a glorious chapter for the nation's space endeavors in peak condition. Lai Ka-ying said that although the training is tough, she will give her all to complete the flight mission.
Also participating in the call were Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong and Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung. After learning that Lai Ka-ying had become the first Hong Kong astronaut to participate in the nation's Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission, John Lee immediately offered his congratulations and blessings.
John Lee: "We are very proud that you are our first Hong Kong personnel to participate in the nation's manned spaceflight mission. First of all, we congratulate you, and send you our blessings."
Lai Ka-ying replied: "Thank you all for your support and blessings. I will do my very best."
John Lee had previously met with Lai Ka-ying twice. The first time was in June 2023, when John Lee met with more than a dozen payload specialist candidates at Government House, and Lai Ka-ying was among them, about to head to Beijing for further selection. The second time was in 2024, after Lai Ka-ying had successfully passed multiple rounds of selection and was chosen as one of the fourth batch of reserve astronauts, just before she left for training in Beijing. John Lee met with her at Government House.
During the video call, John Lee also asked about Lai Ka-ying's life at the Beijing training center. Lai Ka-ying said her daily training schedule is very full. She honestly admitted that the training process "is really tough," but thankfully the time has now come (it is almost time for departure). "I am now very confident that I can complete the mission."
Lai Ka-ying was born and raised in Hong Kong, received her education and worked there, and had not traveled north to the mainland many times in the past. She described this training trip north as the longest time she has ever been away from Hong Kong. "I have never been away from Hong Kong for so long. I hope that after completing the mission, I can come back to Hong Kong soon and experience all the things in Hong Kong."
Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong, who also participated in the video call, said: "In just over a year, you have completed all the arduous training and reached the standard to go to space and carry out the mission. We are all proud of you."
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said that the first Hong Kong person to participate in the nation's manned space mission is a member of the civil service, and she feels very honored and happy about this. "I believe that over 170,000 civil servants are proud of you and proud of ourselves as well."
John Lee also asked how Lai Ka-ying's family was doing in Beijing. Lai Ka-ying said her family is doing very well, and her children are very happy studying in Beijing.
John Lee concluded by cheering Lai Ka-ying on: "Your successful participation in this space mission demonstrates the nation's recognition of you, as well as the nation's trust and support for Hong Kong." He also advised Lai Ka-ying to rest well, maintain her condition, relax, and complete the mission in peak form, then come back and tell everyone how it felt. He wished her success in completing the mission, "to continue writing a glorious chapter for our nation's space endeavors."
Lai Ka-ying firmly stated that she will certainly do her best, and will "give her all and do her best."
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