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Hong Kong people have turned out in their hundreds to welcome the Delegation of Shenzhou-6 Manned Space Flight Mission as they touched down for a three-day visit to Hong Kong.
Led by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of China's Manned Space Flight programme Mr Hu Shixiang, the 30-strong delegation includes astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng and three deputy delegation leaders. They landed in Hong Kong this morning (November 27) and were met at Hong Kong International Airport by the Financial Secretary, Mr Henry Tang; the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho; Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Gao Siren; Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in HKSAR, Mr Yang Wenchang; Commander of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Lieutenant General Wang Jitang and Political Commissar of the People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, Mr Zhang Rucheng.
In the Arrival Hall, they were greeted by 500 schoolchildren and a small group presented flower bouquets to Mr Hu, the two astronauts and the three deputy delegation leaders.
The children waved flags as the group entered the hall and many people awaiting to greet other passengers, began applauding.The delegation was then escorted to the Harbour Plaza Hotel Hong Kong in Hung Hom.
The delegation will in the afternoon attend the "Welcoming the Delegation of Shenzhou-6 Manned Space Flight Mission" variety show at the Hong Kong Stadium. The show, organised by the Home Affairs Department and sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, is expected to attract more then 30,000 people.
Afterwards, the delegation leader Mr Hu, astronauts Fei Junlong and Nei haisheng, Mr Xu Dazhe and China's Manned Space Flight Program Deputy Chief Designer Xia Changfa will meet editors of local media organisations.
They will then leave for Government House to attend a welcoming dinner hosted by the Chief Executive.
Ends/Sunday, November 27, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:31
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