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About 30,000 people packed the Hong Kong Stadium today (December 7) to attend a variety show to welcome astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng and members of the delegation of the Shenzhou-7 manned space mission.
Officiating at the "Hong Kong Welcomes the Delegation of Shenzhou-7 Manned Space Mission Variety Show", Financial Secretary John C Tsang said, "Within only 16 years, the Mainland has made numerous breakthroughs in manned space missions. This demonstrates well a leap forward in the Mainland's national strength in recent years. The astronauts' years of hard work and training as well as the scientists' and engineers' united efforts, perseverance and devotion have all led to these achievements.
"I hope that Hong Kong citizens can learn from the astronauts' perseverance and encourage one other. I believe that if we unite and have confidence, we can rise above the challenges ahead," Mr Tsang said.
In a dialogue session with students at the show, the three astronauts shared their experience on the space flight. The variety show also featured performances by famous artistes from Hong Kong and the Mainland, and local students.
A film featuring the training of the astronauts, the Shenzhou-7 space mission and a compilation of videos taken by the astronauts during their flight was shown at the stadium today, enabling the audience to share those historic moments.
The variety show was organised by the Home Affairs Department, and produced and broadcast live by Television Broadcasts Limited.
Ends/Sunday, December 7, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:49
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