Sun Zezhou, chief designer of China's Tianwen-1 Mars probe, talks about Mars exploration during a lecture at the Diocesan Boys' School in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, on June 25, 2021. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Students of the Diocesan Boys' School were treated to a rare visit from one of the nation's prominent aerospace scientists on Friday afternoon.

Sun Zezhou, chief designer of China's Tianwen 1 Mars probe, gave a lecture on Mars exploration and shared his experience with the students.

The Tianwen 1 Mars project is China’s first mission to the red planet, consisting of an orbiter and a rover. With the rover Zhurong successfully landing on Mars on May 15, 2021, China has become the second country after the United States to land and operate a rover on the planet.

Sun's visit is part of a series of activities being held across the city during a five-day visit by six of the nation’s top aerospace experts. 

READ MORE: HK students pick brains of national aerospace experts

Sun Zezhou, chief designer of China's Tianwen-1 Mars probe, gives a lecture at the Diocesan Boys' School in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, on June 25, 2021. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Students watch a presentation during a lecture by Sun Zezhou, chief designer of China's Tianwen 1 Mars probe, at the Diocesan Boys' School in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, on June 25, 2021. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)

Students clap during a lecture by Sun Zezhou, chief designer of China's Tianwen 1 Mars probe, at the Diocesan Boys' School in Mong Kok, Hong Kong, on June 25, 2021. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)