This photo taken from the official Facebook page of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu shows Lee (center) meeting with the Hong Kong candidates for payload specialists under the National Manned Space Programme at Government House on June 7, 2023.

HONG KONG - Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu met on Wednesday with the Hong Kong candidates for payload specialists under the National Manned Space Programme, saying that their selection after an initial screening is a strong testimony to Hong Kong's talent pool in the fields of scientific research and innovation.

Lee met the candidates, who will soon depart for Beijing for the second round of selection, at Government House, according to a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government statement.

Lee encouraged the candidates to do their best in the second round of the selection, giving full play to their strengths and overcoming challenges with unwavering determination

"The country launched the recruitment of the fourth batch of astronauts and the recruitment of payload specialists in Hong Kong for the first time last year, giving Hong Kong citizens the opportunity to participate in the National Manned Space Programme,” Lee was quoted as saying in the statement.

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“This demonstrated that the country has attached great importance and recognition to the science and technology sector of Hong Kong, as well as the affirmation of Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology center," he added.

Lee said he was pleased to note that more than 10 Hong Kong candidates from government departments, the Hospital Authority, universities, and other institutions and enterprises had passed the preliminary screening for the payload specialist selection process. 

This photo taken from the official Facebook page of Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu shows Lee (center) meeting with the Hong Kong candidates for payload specialists under the National Manned Space Programme at Government House on June 7, 2023.

He encouraged the candidates to do their best in the second round of the selection, giving full play to their strengths and overcoming challenges with unwavering determination. 

Lee also wished all candidates success and hoped that they would stand out from many others, striving to realize the space aspiration of Hong Kong residents and contributing to the aerospace endeavors of the country.

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Also attending the meeting were Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun; Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong; and Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip Man-kuen.