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13 August , 2012
Shenzhou-9 Astronauts Receive
Hero’s Welcome In Hong Kong
Some of the guests of honour at the lunch reception jointly hosted by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) and 5 other business associations in Hong Kong: Mr. Tsang Hin-chi, former Member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (1st from left); Mr. Hua Jian, Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council (5th from left); Mr. Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the CGCC (6th from left); Senzhou 9 astronauts Jing Haipeng (7th from left), Liu Wang (9th from left) and Liu Yang (10th from left).
The crew of the historic Shenzhou-9 space mission - Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and Liu Yang – visited Hong Kong from August 10 to 13. The trip was not only a celebration of the achievements of China’s manned spaceflight programme, but it also provided the people of Hong Kong with a triumphant reminder of the importance of perseverance and dedication.
Mr. Tsang Hin-chi, former Member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (2nd from left, front row), presenting the Shenzhou-9 astronauts - Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and Liu Yang – with the Special Achievement Award and the Outstanding Achievement Award. (Photo courtesy of New China News Agency)
During their whirlwind tour of Hong Kong, the 3 astronauts’ itinerary included a visit to the Peak and Victoria Harbour. Liu Wang told reporters that the brilliance of the Pearl of the Orient was not lost even in space, from where the crew could see the myriad lights of Hong Kong at night. Seen up close from the vantage point of the Peak, the beauty of Victoria Harbour, against a backdrop of serried mountains and placid water, took on exhilarating new dimensions.
Crew commander Jing Haipeng shaking hands with a student, one of thousands of people lining the streets to welcome the astronauts.
Just as the astronauts were touched by the effusive welcome they received, so too were the people of Hong Kong inspired by their heroic exploits at the final frontier. Their extraordinary 13-day experience in space captivated many a rapt and appreciative audience, including the students of many primary and secondary schools, as well as the tertiary students they met at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. The astronauts also attended the Hong Kong Welcomes the Delegation of Shenzhou 9 Manned Spaceflight Mission Variety Show, to the great delight of an audience of over 2,000. Fittingly, they also opened the Exhibition on China’s First Manned Space Docking Mission at the Hong Kong Science Museum.
Crew members Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and Liu Yang meeting the cheering crowd at the Hong Kong Welcomes the Delegation of Shenzhou-9 Manned Spaceflight Mission Variety Show.
The astronauts were part of the Delegation of the Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-9 Manned Space Docking and Rendezvous Mission visiting Hong Kong. The contingent’s 40-plus members included delegation leader Niu Hongguang and many key system commanders and designers.
Some of the guests at the Exhibition on China’s First Manned Space Docking Mission. From left, Jing Haipeng, Professor K.C. Chan, Acting Financial Secretary, Niu Hongguang, Liu Yang, Liu Wang.
The success of the Shenzhou-9 mission has opened a new chapter in the history of Chinese space exploration. The many new milestones it reached includes: first manual docking and spacecraft-spacelab rendezvous, first female astronaut in space, and first extended stay by astronauts in a space orbiter. It was, all in all, a giant step forward in the Chinese people’s great space adventure.
At the centre of attention is China’s first female astronaut, Liu Yang, seen here signing her own cardboard figure during her visit to the Peak.
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