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Space Mission Delegation inspires Hong Kong youth
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    The Delegation of Shenzhou-6 Manned Space Flight Mission, spent its third day in Hong Kong today (November 29) providing inspiration for future generations across the board, by talking to young professionals, primary and secondary students, and local athletes. The astronauts encouraged the students to learn with perseverance and determination.

     The astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng attended the "Dialogue Session on Shenzhou VI" organised by the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) at Queen Elizabeth Stadium to share their experiences in space exploration and training for the space mission with more than 2,000 students from about 400 primary and secondary schools.

     Some students who took part in the Award Scheme for Student Leaders of Hong Kong: National Education Course", acted as moderators. They paid a visit to the Beijing Aerospace Command and Control Center last year, during which they gained considerable understanding of China's aerospace technology development through their dialogues with scientists. During today's session, the students were especially keen to ask for details of the astronauts' feeling while they were in the space capsule.

     In addition, the two astronauts and the delegation leader Mr Hu Shixiang, presented awards to champions of the "Essay Competition for Primary and Secondary Schools Students - Theme: The Launching of Shenzhou VI" organised by EMB in October.

     Members of the delegation later arrived at Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre shortly after 4.30pm to meet local athletes. They were greeted by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho and the Director of Leisure, Cultural Services, Ms Anissa Wong and President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok.

     The two astronauts shared their space exploration experiences and a short movie about the duo's space mission training was well received by more than 1,000 local athletes and guests at the centre.

     A highlight of the visit came when the two astronauts were invited to play table tennis with local elite athletes including Ko Lai-chak, Silver Medallist in Table Tennis Men's Doubles in Athens Olympics 2004; Lin Ling, Gold Medallist in Table Tennis Women's Single in 17th Asian Table Tennis Championships and Lai Wai-ling, Gold Medallist in Table Tennis Women's Single in 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games and Silver Medallist in Table Tennis Women's Single in 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

     The astronauts and the athletes later exchanged souvenirs and a group photo was taken.

     In the morning, the delegation attended a dialogue session organised by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong United Youth Association at the Space Museum.

     Young professionals including teachers, engineers, lawyers, accountants and school principals from some 300 enterprises attended the session and were keenly interested to hear from the two astronauts their experience and training for the space mission, in particular how they overcome training difficulties.

     The delegation will leave for Macau tomorrow morning (November 30).

Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Issued at HKT 20:21

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