Selection of payload experts 'essentially completed'

The city will soon learn the results of a national astronaut selection drive, which includes two positions open to candidates from Hong Kong and Macau. Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of China Manned Space Agency, said on Wednesday the selection of payload specialists in the two SARs has been "essentially completed". “With the central government's approval, we selected payload experts in Hong Kong and Macau for the first time in the fourth batch of preparatory astronauts selected, and relevant information will be officially released soon,” Lin said. “As for the specific selection results for Hong Kong and Macau, we will inform the SAR governments at the earliest opportunity.” The new batch will work with other active astronauts to carry out the follow-up space station missions and achieve China's landing on the moon. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong said earlier several Hongkongers have made it to the final round of selection to join the nation’s space programme. They were among more than 100 people who signed up for the recruitment drive after the agency announced in 2022 that it was recruiting 12 to 14 reserve astronauts for space missions, with two payload specialist positions open to candidates from Hong Kong and Macau for the first time. Lin’s remarks came as the China Manned Space Agency announced the launch of the Shenzhou-18 spacecraft on Thursday evening.