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The Delegation of Shenzhou-6 Manned Space Flight Mission has had a fairy tale welcome so far in Hong Kong but there was magic in the air when they visited Hong Kong Disneyland this afternoon (November 28).
They were met by Commissioner for Tourism Ms Eva Cheng and Group Managing Director of the Hong Kong Disneyland Mr Don Robinson. Members of the delegation began touring around Tomorrowland, Main Street, USA and Adventureland after they were briefed on the background of Hong Kong Disneyland.
In Tomorrowland, members of the delegation stopped for a photo opportunity with famous “Toy Story” character Buzz Lightyear. Next was backstage at Tomorrowland where they joined the parade led by Mickey Mouse in an astronaut costume. The astronauts were seated in an open top cart and waved to the watching Disneyland visitors. The parade ended at USA Main Street where the delegation received souvenirs from Disneyland staff.
In Adventureland they watched a 3-D movie spectacular featuring Maestro Mickey and a cast of Disney characters.
Today’s visit to the theme park was another stop in the busy schedule throughout the three-day visit to Hong Kong. After Disneyland the delegation travelled to Lantau Link View Point in Tsing Yi where they were met by Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Pamela Tan, Director of Highways, Mr Mak Chai-kwong and Kwai Tsing District Officer, Mr Allen Chow.
Mr Mak briefly introduced the architectural design of the Tsing Ma Bridge and Kap Shui Mun Bridge as well as the items on display at the exhibition hall of Lantau Link Visitors Centre. They visited an exhibition lounge where there is a display on the success in manned space mission by the first Chinese astronaut, Mr Yang Liwei. Afterwards, the delegation enjoyed the panoramic view from Lantau Link View Point and took photos.
There was more warm contact with the people of Hong Kong when the delegation arrived at Maritime Square in Tsing Yi about 5pm.
Next stop was Statute Square for the lighting ceremony of the “Dazzling Christmas Tree”. The delegation was met by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Mrs Selina Chow.
The members enjoyed the musical performance at Music Village. The two astronauts wrote down their wishes on wishing cards and hung them on the wish-making trees of lights at Santa’s Town. Fei Junlong wished that Hong Kong people would live comfortably and enjoy life and he hoped that their wishes would come true. For Hong Kong, Nie Haisheng wished a better tomorrow and a brighter future. The wishes were displayed on a big screen so people could read them. This was the signal for a pyrotechnics display and it even “snowed” in the white chapel. Bells in the tower signalled the end of the visit to Santa’s Town but not before the astronauts joined Santa Claus and some angels on stage for a photo opportunity.
Ends/Monday, November 28, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:09
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