HONG KONG - The Delegation of Shenzhou VII Manned Space Mission was warmly greeted by some 30,000 Hong Kong citizens waving national flags and flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Astronauts wave to the crowd during a variety show to welcome the astronauts of the Shenzhou-7 space mission in Hong Kong, South China, December 7, 2008. [Agencies] |
Three Chinese astronauts, Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, who jointly carried out China's historic maiden space walk, and members of the delegation arrived in Hong Kong on Friday morning for a four-day visit to the HKSAR.
The show, named "Hong Kong Welcomes the Delegation of Shenzhou- 7 Manned Space Mission Variety Show", began at about 03:30 p.m. local time.
When Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng traveled around the stadium by a battery vehicle, Hong Kong citizens at the stadium all stood up in respect with flags and small balloons in hands.
Officiating at the show, Hong Kong Financial Secretary John C Tsang said, "within only 16 years, the Chinese mainland has made numerous breakthroughs in manned space missions. This demonstrates well a leap forward in the mainland's national strength in recent years. The astronauts' years of hard work and training as well as the scientists' and engineers' united efforts, perseverance and devotion have all led to these achievements."
"I hope that Hong Kong citizens can learn from the astronauts' perseverance and encourage one other. I believe that if we unite and have confidence, we can rise above the challenges ahead," said Tsang.
In a dialogue session with 10 primary school students at the show, the three astronauts shared their experience on the space flight. The students expressed their hope to be astronauts in the future, adding that in an attempt to realize this dream, they are reading books about astronautics and aeronautics while getting plenty of exercise.
The variety show also featured performances by famous artists from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland as well as the local students. Hong Kong popular stars such as Jeoy Yung, Kelly Chen, Alan Tam and Hacken Lee sung songs at the show. The world-famous pianists Yundi Li also played "LaCampanella", a famous piano music written by Liszt.
A film featuring the training of the astronauts, the Shenzhou- VII space mission and a compilation of videos taken by the astronauts during their flight was also shown at the stadium, enabling the audience to share those historic moments.
The three astronauts jointly carried out China's historic maiden space walk this September with the Shenzhou VII spacecraft, which means "divine vessels" in English.
During their four-day visit to the city, the astronauts will meet with local citizens in a series of welcoming activities held by the HKSAR government and attend a university forum on the historic space walk.
