The members of the China Manned Space delegation and Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attend the "Hong Kong Welcomes the Delegation of China Manned Space Variety Show" at Hong Kong Coliseum, in Hong Kong, Nov 29, 2023. (ANDY CHONG / CHINA DAILY)

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the visit by the national Manned Space delegation has sown significant seeds within Hong Kong society, which will strengthen people’s national pride, and inspire them to explore the realms of science and pursue their dreams.

He made the remarks during a farewell ceremony held on Friday for the delegation, at the end of their four-day visit to the city, during which the astronauts and experts had extensive talks with local residents. The delegation will visit Macao over the weekend.

The delegation leader, Lin Xiqiang, said that the passion and admiration felt by Hong Kong peers towards the delegation is not only due to the bonds among compatriots, but also an affirmation of the country’s aerospace development and heroic astronauts

During the ceremony, Lee said that the delegation’s insights have ignited a great enthusiasm among many young people in Hong Kong towards aerospace technology and scientific exploration.

The active involvement of young people in the innovation and technology industry will greatly contribute to positioning Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub under the nation’s 14th Five-Year Plan, he added.

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He said he believes that concerning the high-quality development of the country, Hong Kong people can give full play to their strengths and pursue their ideals to make the Pearl of the Orient shine more brightly and prominently.

Lee quoted a student who said they once felt that their dream of flight and aeronautics seemed a distant prospect. However, an encounter with real pilots from the delegation has turned that dream into something realizable.

Lee said he hoped that the delegation’s trip will allow residents to feel pride in the country’s unwavering spirit and extraordinary progress in the field of aerospace technology.

The delegation leader, Lin Xiqiang, said that the passion and admiration felt by Hong Kong peers towards the delegation is not only due to the bonds among compatriots, but also an affirmation of the country’s aerospace development and heroic astronauts.

Lin said that the delegation was impressed with the quality of Hong Kong’s education and science development. He noted that during the exchange, Hong Kong representatives put forward many good ideas and experiments that could be carried out on the Chinese space station.

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Lin hoped that the ambition described by Lee may find growth in the hearts of Hong Kong’s youths, propelling the city to become a driving force on the world stage of technological innovation.

During the half-hour farewell ceremony, Hong Kong government officials displayed the highlights of the delegation’s itinerary. Lee also presented a commemorative album to Lin.

Officiating guests and Young Astronauts 2023 pose after the ribbon-cutting ceremony for "China Manned Space Exibition" at Hong Kong Science Museum on Nov 30, 2023. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)

On Friday, the delegation took a ride on an open-top sightseeing bus, touring the Yau Tsim Mong district and greeted residents along the way.

Some residents expressed their joy upon seeing the astronauts and experts, considering it a rare and precious opportunity. They also said the members are quite amiable. Some Shenzhen residents also came to Hong Kong in the early morning to bid farewell to the delegation members.

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During the visit to Hong Kong, the delegation attended a media briefing to introduce the latest developments of the China Manned Space Program. Members met with representatives of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector, as well as over 2,000 teachers and students from tertiary, secondary and primary schools. The members also inaugurated the “China Manned Space Exhibition”, a three-month exhibition in the HKSAR that features China’s space exploration endeavors.