China Manned Space delegation visits PolyU

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) extended its warmest welcome to the China Manned Space delegation on the important occasion of their visit to the University. During the visit, the delegation participated in a memorable event, “A Dialogue between the China manned space delegation and PolyU students and faculty members”, held at the Jockey Club Auditorium. At the event, they engaged in discussion and exchange in the presence of an audience of approximately 700 PolyU students and faculty members. Dr CHOI Yuk Lin, Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Dr WANG Weiming, Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Tim LUI, Chairman of the University Grants Committee; PolyU Council Chairman Dr LAM Tai-fai; and PolyU President Prof. Jin-Guang TENG attended the event to welcome the delegation, expressing their pride and admiration for the successful manned space missions accomplished by the Nation in recent years.

Led by Mr LIN Xiqiang, Deputy Director General of the China Manned Space Agency, the delegation included Mr YANG Hong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Chief Designer of the Space Station System of the China Manned Space Programme, and Researcher of the China Academy of Space Technology; Mr YAN Pu, Deputy Director of the Information Office, China Manned Space Agency; Mr LIU Boming, Astronaut at the Astronaut Center of China and Shenzhou-12 Astronaut; Mr CHEN Dong, Astronaut Team Leader at the Astronaut Centre of China and Shenzhou-14 Astronaut; Mr DONG Guangliang, Researcher of the Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecommunications Technology and Chief Designer of the Tracking, Telemetry and Command System; Mr CHEN Jie, Head of the Scientific Programme and Quality Control Division, China Manned Space Agency; as well as Ms YANG Xin, Head of the Information Office, China Manned Space Agency.

In his welcome remarks, Dr Lam Tai-fai said, “Following the visit of a delegation of esteemed Chinese astronautical scientists to PolyU in 2021, it is a great and exciting honour for PolyU students and faculty members to now have a face-to-face encounter with the China manned space delegation on our campus. This opportunity allows them to witness and be encouraged by the Nation’s space development at close quarters. Indeed, recent years have witnessed extraordinary achievements in aerospace technologies by our Nation, which both inspire us and fill us with pride.

With over 30 years of experience in deep space research, PolyU is the only university in Hong Kong that has participated in various national space projects. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Nation for its trust and support. PolyU will continue to strengthen its research capabilities, reinforce cooperation with Mainland researchers, and make every effort to better integrate itself into the overall development of the Nation. Moving forward, we are committed to cultivating young individuals’ enthusiasm towards space exploration, encouraging them to delve into scientific research in order to contribute to the Nation’s advancement and support Hong Kong's development into an international innovation and technology hub.”

At the event, three representatives from the delegation delivered presentations to share their experiences in manned space missions. They then engaged in discussion and exchange on aerospace technologies, astronaut training, and life in space with a doctoral student and an undergraduate student. They were joined by Prof. YUNG Kai-leung, Sir Sze-yuen Chung Professor in Precision Engineering, Chair Professor of Precision Engineering and Associate Head of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations of PolyU; as well as Prof. WU Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head (Research) of the Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Associate Director of Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations of PolyU.

Prof. Jin-Guang Teng said, “The achievements of our country in aerospace technologies not only showcase the strength of our Nation but also foster advancements in related fields for the betterment of mankind. PolyU has played a vital role in various key space exploration missions for the Nation and will continue to provide staunch support to University researchers to take part in national space missions in the future.”

Since 2010, PolyU has been participating in the Nation’s space exploration programmes and collaborating with the China Academy of Space Technology to develop and manufacture sophisticated space instruments. PolyU researchers have also used advanced topographic mapping technologies to evaluate and identify the best landing sites for spacecraft. These contributions supported the success of the Nation’s lunar exploration missions, including Chang'e-3, Chang'e-4 and Chang'e-5, as well as the Mars exploration project Tianwen-1. In 2021, PolyU established the “Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations”. In 2022, the University established the “Joint Research Centre of Advanced Aerospace Propulsion Technology” in collaboration with the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology.

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