Two payload specialists from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region have been selected to join China’s fourth batch of astronauts, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced on Tuesday.

This marks the first time that experts from the two regions have been chosen. Additionally, eight space pilots from other parts of the nation have also been selected. All the candidates will undergo comprehensive training at the China Astronaut Research and Training Center in Beijing.

The Macao government stated that the central government’s recognition sends a powerful message of encouragement to the youth of Macao

Media reports stated that the selected Hong Kong expert is Lai Ka-ying, a female chief inspector of the Hong Kong Police Force. Yet the information has not yet been officially confirmed.

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The HKSAR’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu described this as an extremely inspiring and uplifting development, calling it a glorious milestone in the history of the HKSAR and its residents.

He said that it exemplifies the city’s unique status under the “one country, two systems” principle, reflecting the nation’s strong support and encouragement for Hong Kong’s science sector, and acknowledging the research capabilities of its scientists.

The inclusion also highlights the extraordinary perseverance and dedication of Hong Kong’s youth. The city will provide unwavering support for its scientists to make greater contributions to national scientific projects, Lee added.

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The Macao government stated that the central government’s recognition sends a powerful message of encouragement to the youth of Macao. It is committed to actively promote the city’s aerospace technology and its integration with other sectors, so as to facilitate Macao’s high-quality economic development.

The selection process for the fourth batch of Chinese astronaut candidates commenced in the second half of 2022 and involved three stages. Among the 120 applicants from Hong Kong, 40 successfully passed the preliminary selection.