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The University of Hong Kong (HKU) extends its warmest congratulations to alumna Dr Lai Ka-ying on her being selected as a crew member of the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceflight mission. As the first Hong Kong payload specialist to journey into orbit, her mission marks a new chapter of deep participation by Hong Kong’s scientific community in the national space programmes. HKU wishes the Shenzhou-23 mission every success and wishes Ka-ying a safe and triumphant return upon the completion of the historic mission.  

Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, remarked, “On behalf of the University, I extend my most heartfelt congratulations to our alumna, Dr Lai Ka-ying, on being the first Hong Kong payload specialist to join the national Shenzhou mission. Her achievement is a moment of immense pride for the entire HKU community and the city, and a testament to the world-class calibre of our talent. Ka-ying’s journey from our labs to the stars embodies the perseverance and excellence of both the HKU and Hong Kong spirit. Her success serves as a beacon for our students, proving that with dedication, the most ambitious dreams are within reach. We hope Ka-ying’s mission inspires a new generation of Hong Kong scientists to reach for the stars and contribute to our nation’s glorious space odyssey."  

Beyond talent cultivation, HKU remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing national aerospace initiatives through frontier research. In 2025, HKU established the Hong Kong Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics as an international centre of research excellence, providing a platform for global collaboration and a central hub for astronomers across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.  The University’s ongoing contributions to Mars and lunar exploration missions—notably the development of the “Short-Wavelength Infrared Spectrometer” for the Tianwen-3 mission and the pioneering analysis of lunar soil samples from Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6—underscore HKU’s strategic alignment with the national “15th Five-Year Plan”. These efforts directly support the strategic goal of accelerating the nation’s development into a leading aerospace power. As the Shenzhou-23 crew embarks on their mission, HKU remains dedicated to supporting national efforts to achieve technological self-reliance and driving excellence in deep space exploration.