Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday congratulated faculty and students of the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) on the launch of the "Macao Science 1" space exploration satellites.

Xi extended his congratulations and encouragement in a reply letter to representatives of the faculty and students who took part in the research and development of the project.

"Macao Science 1" satellites are the first space science satellites jointly developed by the Chinese mainland and Macao. They were mainly used for the detection and research of the Earth's magnetic field, and were successfully launched on May 21 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

Eighteen students and faculty members of the MUST who participated in the development of the satellites wrote to President Xi to report the good news of the successful launch of the satellites and their feelings about participating in the development of the satellites, expressing their wish and determination to actively participate in the scientific research construction of the Chinese mainland.

In recent years, Macao has deepened its scientific and technological cooperation with the Chinese mainland in the field of aerospace and other areas, and has achieved promising results, Xi said.

Building China into a science and technology giant and promoting Chinese modernization provide broader development space for Macao's universities and Macao's science and technology workers, he added.

"I hope you will continue to inherit the fine tradition of loving the Chinese mainland and Macao, actively integrate into the overall national development, actively participate in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, help Macao's moderately diversified economic development, and make new contributions to the successful practice of the 'One Country, Two Systems' in Macao," said Xi.

(Cover: A Long March-2C carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 21, 2023. /Xinhua)