Astronauts in the Tiangong space station talk with Hong Kong researchers, teachers and students via video link, Sept. 3, 2021. Three Chinese astronauts talked with Hong Kong youth representatives from space via video link on Friday afternoon. In a real-time video chat, the astronauts in the Tiangong space station answered questions from the youngsters, gave them a virtual tour inside the core module Tianhe, and showed them how to conduct experiments, do exercise and drink water in a weightless environment. Nearly 300 researchers, teachers and students participated in the event. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Three Chinese astronauts talked with Hong Kong youth representatives from space via video link on Friday afternoon.
In a real-time video chat, the astronauts in the Tiangong space station answered questions from the youngsters, gave them a virtual tour inside the core module Tianhe, and showed them how to conduct experiments, do exercise and drink water in a weightless environment.
Nearly 300 researchers, teachers and students participated in the event.
Nie Haisheng, Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo were sent into space aboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship on June 17 and have as far completed their second-time extravehicular activities.
They will continue to carry out scientific and technological space experiments before returning to Earth in mid-September.
During the event, the young participants learned how astronauts live and work in the space station and also video chatted with multiple space experts including China's first astronaut Yang Liwei in Beijing.
The event was organized by the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), the HKSAR government and the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
Several officials delivered speeches. HKSAR Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the country has made historic progress in the space sector over the recent years and she hopes Hong Kong youths will learn from the astronauts' spirits and work hard to realize their dreams.
Tan Tieniu, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, said the Earth-space video link interaction is a special gift from the central authorities to Hong Kong compatriots, in particular to the youth.
Hong Kong's technology and innovation sector has bright prospects and offered opportunities for young people, Tan added.
Hao Chun, director of the CMSA, stressed Hong Kong's contribution to the country's development in the space sector.
Scientists and engineers from Hong Kong joined multiple research programs and several experiments of the Shenzhou-11 mission were designed by Hong Kong youngsters, Hao said.
The event was the latest of a series of space-related activities in Hong Kong. In the past months, renowned national space scientists visited Hong Kong and a lunar soil sample was also on display here.
