LCQ1: Promoting aerospace popular science education and relevant talent nurturing
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Questions:
The National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. There are views pointing out that Hong Kong's first astronaut carrying out a mission aboard the Tiangong Space Station in the capacity of a payload expert has ignited a sense of pride in national aerospace technology and interest in I&T among the Hong Kong community (particularly the youth groups). The SAR Government should seize the opportunity to strengthen collaboration among departments, thereby turning the community's passion for aerospace technology into sustained momentum for nurturing I&T talent. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the Education Bureau (EDB) will collaborate with the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) to set up a Working Group on Aerospace Popular Science Education to systematically integrate the latest national achievements in aerospace technology, including lunar exploration, space station experiments and deep space exploration, into STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education in primary and secondary schools; whether the two policy bureaux will consider supporting schools, through existing resources or dedicated subsidy, in developing and using aerospace teaching kits, such as microgravity simulation, rover programming and space mission design teaching materials, and provide more aerospace interactive experiential facilities at schools, the Hong Kong Science Museum and I&T bases;
(2) whether the EDB will increase the quotas for visits to key national aerospace facilities, such as the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site and the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, under the existing Mainland exchange programmes for primary and secondary students; whether the ITIB will leverage its collaboration network with Mainland scientific research institutes and aerospace enterprises to provide senior secondary students and STEAM teachers in Hong Kong with opportunities to participate in short-term internships, research matching and dedicated training at Mainland aerospace laboratories;
(3) to promote the interface between aerospace popular science education and I&T talent nurturing, whether the ITIB and the EDB will strengthen co-operation with local tertiary institutions and Mainland aerospace institutions to provide clearer guidance on further studies for Hong Kong students who demonstrate interest and potential in aerospace technology; whether the Government will consider establishing a dedicated aerospace and I&T scholarship and incorporating aerospace technology elements into relevant research talent funding schemes, so as to nurture local space engineering, space science and relevant I&T talent; and
(4) given that the Northern Metropolis is a key engine for Hong Kong's future I&T development, whether the Government will explore the planning of a sizeable Hong Kong Aerospace Science and Technology Museum or Deep Space Exploration Education Centre in the Northern Metropolis, such as the San Tin Technopole, to showcase national aerospace achievements and valuable exhibits, and establish immersive lunar or Martian base experiential zones, thereby serving as new platforms for regular reality teaching for primary and secondary schools across the territory, patriotic popular science education as well as I&T culture and tourism in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area?
Reply:
President,
For the first time, the National 15th Five-Year Plan includes "work faster to boost China's strength in aerospace" as a key task for development over the five-year period, making clear that aerospace technology is an important component of the country's development of new quality productive forces. This demonstrates the great importance the country attaches to its aerospace endeavours and brings Hong Kong broader opportunities for participation and development. The five core objectives of Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan include accelerating the development of an international Innovation & Technology (I&T) centre, developing the Northern Metropolis into a major growth engine for higher education and I&T, and integrating into and serving the overall national development. In nurturing I&T talent, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government departments are working together through various approaches. Taking the recently held "Tiangong Class" Hong Kong and Macao Designated Session as an example, the Education Bureau (EDB) collaborated with the China Manned Space Agency and other organisations to let primary and secondary school teachers and students across Hong Kong to watch the live broadcast of the space lesson simultaneously. Hong Kong's first payload specialist, Dr Lai Ka-ying, served as a "space teacher", demonstrating science experiments in real time and interacting with students. Through the roving exhibition on "Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours", the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) systematically showcases the development journey and remarkable achievements of the country's aerospace endeavours. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Space Museum, under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau (CSTB), continues to update its exhibition content by incorporating information on the Shenzhou-23 mission and Dr Lai's training experiences; and is planning a new thematic exhibition towards the end of the year to review the mission's achievements. These collaborative efforts across departments demonstrate the HKSAR Government's diverse approaches to talent development, spanning curricula, exhibitions, competitions and Mainland exchanges, to nurture passionate young talent with broad horizons for Hong Kong's I&T development.
The consolidated reply of the EDB, the ITIB and the CSTB to the question raised by the Hon Ng Wun-kit is as follows:
(1) Regarding the primary and secondary school curricula, the EDB has updated the content of the Science curricula by strengthening the learning elements relating to aerospace, I&T and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), to deepen students' understanding of the country's aerospace achievements and foster a sense of national pride. The EDB has also been providing a range of resource supports for schools. For example, schools may flexibly deploy the Life-wide Learning and Sister School Grant to arrange for students to participate in aerospace-related competitions and activities. Schools may also apply to the Quality Education Fund to develop school-based aerospace curricula and activities. In collaboration with relevant organisations, the EDB continues to organise aerospace-related learning activities, such as the Hong Kong Youth Aerospace Innovation Competition, to enrich students' learning experiences.
The permanent exhibition halls of the Space Museum feature a number of interactive aerospace exhibits that systematically showcase the country's latest achievements in aerospace technology, including "Moon | Mars VR", "Zhurong's Mars Exploration" and "China's Lunar Exploration". In addition, information on the Shenzhou-23 mission has been incorporated into the "China Space Exploration" zone, enabling visitors to learn about the journey of Dr Lai and other astronauts, from training to carrying out missions aboard the Tiangong Space Station. To coincide with the return of the Shenzhou-23 crew to Earth at the end of 2026, the Space Museum is planning a new thematic exhibition towards the end of the year to review the mission's major achievements. The Space Museum will continue to update its exhibition content and incorporate information on national aerospace projects as appropriate. The EDB has also issued a circular memorandum encouraging schools to arrange for students to visit the relevant exhibitions at the Space Museum.
(2) The EDB has been organising diversified Mainland exchange programmes for primary and secondary students and subsidising schools to organise such programmes. These include aerospace-related itineraries, such as visits to the Wenchang Aerospace Supercomputing Center and the Aifeike Aviation Popularisation of Science Education Base, to deepen students' understanding of the country's development and achievements in aerospace technology. The EDB will continue to enhance Mainland exchange programmes for students to further promote aerospace science and technology education.
The Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address also announced that the number of places in the Young Astronaut Training Camp organised by the Space Museum next year will be increased to 35, enabling students to visit the country's major aerospace and astronomy facilities in person.
Among other things, the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address announced that the Government will continue to provide funding support for the Hong Kong Productivity Council to organise the Hong Kong Future Aerospace Technology Talents Training Programme for secondary students. The Programme aims to enable students to learn about different aerospace technologies and related skills through training courses, hands-on workshops and field trips. It will not only foster students' interest and potential in aerospace technology, but also nurture more I&T talents for the country and the HKSAR, better integrating into and serving the overall national development.
(3) The Government has all along encouraged the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities to offer programmes that meet Hong Kong's development needs, expand the talent pool in key areas and strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness. During the 2025–28 triennium, the eight UGC-funded universities are collectively introducing 27 new undergraduate programmes related to STEAM and the "eight centres". These programmes cover emerging fields that have developed rapidly in recent years and are popular among young people, including aerospace science and technology. It was announced in the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address that innovative popular science education and talent development in aerospace would be stepped up, including supporting local institutions in promoting aerospace-related programmes to nurture future talent. At present, four UGC-funded universities in Hong Kong offer undergraduate programmes providing knowledge and training in aerospace, namely City University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The PolyU also offers postgraduate programmes. The Government will continue to keep abreast of the development needs of aerospace technology in Hong Kong and the country, and support institutions in reviewing and developing relevant programmes as appropriate.
The Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) will launch a new round of Special Call on Aerospace Technology, with an emphasis on supporting technology research related to national space missions, assisting research and development (R&D) talent in conducting research and exploration in areas such as satellite technologies, space exploration instruments, aerospace materials and remote sensing.
To expand the local research and I&T talent pool through a multi-pronged approach, as well as support enterprises and research institutions in grooming technology (including aerospace technology) talent and promoting I&T development, the ITIB and the ITC also launched the following specific measures:
(i) the STEM Internship Scheme, which subsidises undergraduates and postgraduates taking full-time STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)-related programmes to enrol in short-term internships for gaining exposure to I&T-related work. About 10 000 internship quotas will be provided within two years, and each intern will receive a monthly subsidy of no less than $11,000 for up to three months;
(ii) the Research Talent Hub, which provides funding support for companies or organisations undertaking R&D activities in Hong Kong to engage research talent to conduct R&D work; and
(iii) the New Industrialisation and Technology Training Programme, which subsidises local enterprises on a 1(Government):1(enterprise) matching basis to train their staff in advanced technologies.
(4) As flagship projects for launching of the Northern Metropolis University Town, the San Tin Technopole and the Loop Hong Kong Park will focus on synergistic development among the industries, academia, and research sectors in frontier technologies, including aerospace and aviation technology. The roving exhibition on "Achievements of National Aerospace Endeavours", organised by the Government in collaboration with various I&T parks and R&D institutions over the past few months, has been well-received by the public, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. Building on its success while taking into account actual circumstances and developments, the ITIB will suitably explore setting up relevant exhibitions in I&T parks (including the San Tin Technopole and the Loop Hong Kong Park) at an appropriate juncture.
Overall, the National 15th Five-Year Plan identifies "work faster to boost China's strength in aerospace" as a key task, bringing significant opportunities for Hong Kong to participate in the country's aerospace endeavours and nurture I&T talent. Hong Kong's first astronaut, Dr Lai Ka-ying, has entered the Tiangong Space Station as a payload specialist, strengthening the sense of pride across the community in the country's aerospace achievements and inspiring young people's keen interest in science and I&T. In line with Hong Kong's First Five-Year Plan, which positions the Northern Metropolis as an engine for I&T development and advances the integrated development of education, technology and talent, the EDB, the ITIB and the CSTB are working together to nurture I&T talent through curriculum renewal, resource supports, competitions, exhibition experiences and Mainland exchanges, using diverse approaches such as "Tiangong Class". The HKSAR Government will continue to capitalise on the opportunities arising from the country's aerospace development and deepen cross-departmental collaboration to nurture a new generation of talent with an understanding of aerospace and the capability to innovate, for Hong Kong and the country as a whole.
Ends/Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:45
Issued at HKT 12:45
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