Hong Kong’s secretary chief on Saturday offered his heartfelt congratulations as Hong Kong police superintendent Lai Ka-ying prepares to become the first Hong Kong-born astronaut to travel to space, serving as a payload specialist on the Shenzhou XXIII mission.
In a social media post, Chris Tang Ping-keung wrote: “Shenzhou XXIII is about to launch. Our police superintendent Lai Ka-ying will become the first Hong Kong astronaut, carrying out a space mission as a payload specialist. All of us in the disciplinary forces feel immensely proud and honored!”
He said that from watching Lai’s interviews, he could see she had demonstrated the determination, loyalty and resilience associated with Hong Kong’s disciplined services throughout her astronaut training.
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“Seeing her about to take this historic step for Hong Kong, and just now at the press conference she even responded to Hong Kong people’s support in Cantonese – I was truly moved,” wrote the secretary for security.
“I sincerely congratulate Ka-ying and wish her a successful space mission, contributing her greatest strength to the nation. The disciplinary forces stand with you, sending our best wishes!”
Lai graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 2011 with a doctoral degree in computer science and joined the Hong Kong Police Force in 2012. She was selected as part of China’s fourth-generation astronauts in June 2024, becoming the first astronaut from the SAR.
