Until recently, few young people in Hong Kong would have dared to dream of becoming an astronaut. Today, that impossible dream has become a reality. Hong Kong-born Lai Ka-ying has been selected as the city’s first astronaut and science payload specialist, joining the nation’s Shenzhou XXIII crewed space mission. This historic moment will undoubtedly be recorded as one of the most significant milestones in the city’s history, marking its deep integration into the nation’s space program.

As Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said, this achievement reflects the central government’s support for and trust in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. “The participation of a scientific researcher from Hong Kong in a national spaceflight mission for the first time is not only an affirmation of her own capability, but also a testimony to the country’s high recognition of Hong Kong’s I&T talent, development and achievements,” Lee said.

It’s indeed a great honor for both Lai and Hong Kong. Lai is the fourth Chinese woman who has gone into orbit. As a payload specialist — a noncareer astronaut role focused on scientific research and experimentation — Lai will conduct astronomical and Earth observations, physical, chemical, biomedical and technological tests, operate space laboratory equipment, and assist with space station management. Her mission is expected to contribute to aerospace knowledge that benefits the world and all humankind.

Lai has expressed deep gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility, vowing to live up to expectations. “I will contribute my share to the development of the motherland and the nation. I will not let down the expectations of the people of Hong Kong, and I will never fail the deep trust of the motherland,” she said.

Lai hopes her mission will inspire more young Hong Kong people to pursue innovation and technology, contributing to the nation’s technological self-reliance. Her most inspiring remark in a media interview was: “Everyone in Hong Kong will be able to shine and reach their dreams, as long as they hold their country close to their hearts and contribute to the nation.”

Those young people who took part in the 2019-20 insurrection and worshipped Western political systems and practices should truly reflect on what they have lost. If Hong Kong were under foreign rule, would Hong Kong people have the chance to excel and become astronauts when they are treated as second- or third-class citizens?

Taiwan residents may feel envious of Hong Kong. They will come to realize the immense benefits that reunification with the motherland could bring through the “one country, two systems” framework.

Lai’s arduous training is also an inspiration to our youth. She completed intensive mission-specific training, including space scientific research, technical experiments, space station assembly management, and operation of the spacecraft and the station’s robotic arm. Lai describes herself as “an ordinary person”, and admits the training process has been full of challenges. She completed more than 200 training tasks totaling over 1,700 hours, including 72 hours without sleep, 48 hours in a desert, and six days in a cave. According to a China Manned Space Agency spokesman, Lai passed the flight qualification assessment with flying colors. As Lai herself said, throughout her training, she relied on and demonstrated the “Lion Rock Spirit” — a “can-do” attitude that should inspire all our youngsters.

Lai (Lai Ka-ying) has said she was inspired by China’s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, and by the words of an overseas Chinese on television: “The higher the Chinese spaceship goes, the higher our heads can raise on foreign soil.” Lai should know that many youngsters in the SAR will be similarly inspired by her in the future

All schools should seize this opportunity to educate students and deepen their love for the motherland. Students should be taught how, in the 1990s, China was forced to start its space program from scratch after being excluded from the International Space Station, and later banned from bilateral cooperation with the US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration. China’s achievements in space over the past two decades have amazed the world. Students should also learn that their talents are valued by the nation, and that one day, they too may have the opportunity to take part in the country’s cutting-edge technological development.

This brings to mind a mainland-produced film from 2021, My Country, My Parents, which tells four stories of how the older generation sacrificed for the country’s modernization. One of the stories, about the testing of space engines in which two scientists lost their lives, I found particularly moving. The theme song, Ru Yuan, is equally touching. In my view, both the film and the song should be included in school curricula as a “must-watch” movie and “must-sing” song.

I hope that during Lai’s stay in orbit, arrangements can be made for a space lesson for Hong Kong students. That would be highly inspirational and educational.

The space program should definitely be included in Hong Kong’s next five-year plan, particularly in terms of how local talent can contribute to national space efforts. The SAR should continue to proactively participate in national aerospace development through its research institutions, universities, and the Space Robotics and Energy Center under the InnoHK research clusters.

With this valuable precedent, the SAR should explore other opportunities for our youngsters and talent to participate in major national programs. For example, could our disciplined services members be attached to the People’s Liberation Army for training, and subsequently serve on an aircraft carrier for a year? That would be most exciting!

Perhaps it is also time to consider resurrecting a modified “Hong Kong Regiment” attached to the PLA Garrison in Hong Kong, enabling adult volunteers to receive military training and be ready to assist the Hong Kong Garrison in defending the city.

Lai has said she was inspired by China’s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, and by the words of an overseas Chinese on television: “The higher the Chinese spaceship goes, the higher our heads can raise on foreign soil.” Lai should know that many youngsters in the SAR will be similarly inspired by her in the future.

The author is an honorary fellow of HKU Space and Hong Kong Metropolitan University, an adviser to Our Hong Kong Foundation, and was a former deputy commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.