HK chief executive congratulates first successful return of lunar orbiter

Hong Kong Chief Executive C Y Leung on Saturday congratulated the country on the smooth landing of the test lunar orbiter of the third phase moon exploration program in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

This is China's first successful mission to the Moon and back, making it the third nation to do so after the former Soviet Union and the United States.

"The success of this return has laid down a solid foundation for the third phase moon exploration program and is significant to the development of space mission," Leung said.

"On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I extend my sincere congratulations to the country. I am proud of the scientists who have participated in moon exploration and I expect more achievements will be attained."