John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Saturday congratulated Lai Ka-ying on becoming a member of the country's fourth batch of astronauts.

Lai, the first astronaut from the HKSAR, is selected as a payload specialist for the Shenzhou-23 spaceflight mission, the China Manned Space Agency told a press conference on Saturday.

Lee expressed gratitude to the country for its support for and trust in the HKSAR. He also congratulated Lai on passing the rigorous selection and training process to become one of the country's fourth batch of astronauts, thereby contributing Hong Kong's strength to the country's aerospace endeavours. 

"As this year marks the beginning of the national 15th Five-Year Plan, the HKSAR is embracing a historic moment in the pursuit of its aerospace dream. We are deeply inspired by this moment of extraordinary significance, where a Hong Kong specialist takes part in the spaceflight mission as an astronaut for the first time," said Lee.

Stressing the HKSAR has been contributing to the country's aerospace development, Lee noted various research institutions and universities have been participating in aerospace research projects, including providing systems, instruments, and technical support for the country's lunar and Mars exploration missions, as well as conducting spaceborne experiments.

The HKSAR government has also established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Center under the InnoHK Research Clusters to participate in related national aerospace missions, he added.

"Under the 'One Country, Two Systems' principle, Hong Kong possesses the distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world," Lee stressed.

Lee also said that the participation of a scientific researcher from Hong Kong in the spaceflight mission for the first time is not only an affirmation of Lai's own capability, but also a testimony to the country's high recognition of Hong Kong's I&T talent, development, and achievements. 

China's Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11:08 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.