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The Delegation of Shenzhou-6 Manned Space Flight Mission will arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday (November 27) for a three-day visit and academic exchange at the invitation of the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang.
Led by Mr Hu Shixiang, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of China's Manned Space Flight Program, the 30-strong delegation includes astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng, three deputy delegation leaders: Mr Zhou Bo, who is Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office; Mr Su Shuangning, Deputy Director of the China Manned Space Engineering Office; and Mr Xu Dazhe, Deputy General Manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Group. Other members include commanders and designers of the mission's major engineering systems.
Mr Tsang said he was very grateful to the Central Government for accepting his invitation and arranging the visit of the delegation to Hong Kong within such a short period.
He said that during the three-day visit, the two astronauts and scientists would share with the Hong Kong community, particularly the young, the hard work and sacrifices leading to their success. At the same time, it is hoped that citizens will share the pride brought about by the rapid development of aerospace technology of our motherland.
"The itinerary of the visit will focus on the exchange of knowledge and experience in the academic, scientific research and educational fields targeting mainly at students, academia and athletes. The aim is to enhance among our youths the understanding of our country's aerospace technology development and enable them to learn from the scientists and astronauts the spirit of perseverance," he said.
The Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Rebecca Lai, is co-ordinating arrangements for the visit.
The delegation will arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday morning from Beijing. In the afternoon, a variety show organised by the Home Affairs Department and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club will be held at the Hong Kong Stadium to welcome the astronauts and the delegation.
The delegation will attend a dinner hosted by the Hong Kong SAR Government at Government House, where they will meet with community leaders from various sectors.
On Monday morning (November 28), the delegation will attend a forum at the Chinese University of Hong Kong jointly organised by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Institute of Education and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The astronauts and scientists will exchange views with the academics and students on the space expedition, training and the latest development in manned space flight technology.
Members of the delegation will then visit the Hong Kong Science Park for a first-hand look at the latest developments in applied science and will tour an integrated circuits design development and support centre and a technology company.
In the evening, members of the delegation will join in the festive spirit at Hong Kong WinterFest organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in Statue Square. The astronauts will experience the vibrant lifestyle of Asia's world city and mingle with the crowd at Santa's Town as they take in the spectacle of the 35-metre-high Christmas tree lavishly decorated with dazzling lights, garlands and ornaments and the enchanting Music Village of miniature houses.
On the last day (November 29) of their visit, the delegation will attend a morning forum at the Hong Kong Space Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. The forum, organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, will give the visitors an opportunity to talk to young professionals. At noon, they will attend a lunch reception hosted in their honour by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with other local major trade associations.
In the afternoon, they will share their experience in space exploration and training for the space mission with primary and secondary school students from 120 schools at a seminar at Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Wan Chai.
Later, the delegation will visit the Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre to meet elite athletes, disabled athletes, young athletes who are just starting their careers and representatives of district sports organisations to exchange views on training experience.
The delegation will leave for Macau by ferry from the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan on Wednesday morning (November 30).
Ends/Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:03
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