When the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Sunday night, it will carry not only three astronauts but also a historic milestone for Hong Kong: the city's very first representative in space.

Lai Ka-ying, a mother of three and former Hong Kong police officer, will join mission commander Zhu Yangzhu and spacecraft pilot Zhang Zhiyuan as a payload specialist on China's latest crewed spaceflight mission.

Making her public debut as an astronaut on Saturday, Lai expressed deep gratitude to the nation for granting her the opportunity to fulfill her dream.

"My heart is filled with gratitude and a deep sense of honor. I also feel the great responsibility that comes with this mission," she said. "I will give my absolute best to complete all tasks. I will not let the people of Hong Kong down, and even more so, I will not fail the trust placed in me by the motherland."

Born in Hong Kong in November 1982, Lai holds a PhD in computer forensics and previously served as a police superintendent in the Hong Kong Police Force. 

She was selected as a payload specialist in China's fourth batch of astronaut recruitment in 2022 – the first time the program opened applications to Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. 

After joining the astronaut corps in August 2024, she completed more than 200 training tasks across eight categories, accumulating over 1,700 training hours.

Video call with Hong Kong chief executive: 'The training was really tough'

Just days before the launch, John Lee, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), held a video call with Lai, joined by Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong and Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung.

"Lai, we are so proud that you are the first person from Hong Kong to participate in the nation's manned spaceflight mission," Lee told her. "Your successful participation in this mission represents the nation's recognition of you and also demonstrates the nation's trust and support for Hong Kong."

Lai, visibly moved, acknowledged the intense preparation. "The daily training schedule is very full. I have to admit, the training was really tough," she said. "But now, I am very confident that I can complete the mission."

Lai also spoke emotionally about being away from Hong Kong for the longest period in her life. "I have never left Hong Kong for this long. I hope I can return to Hong Kong quickly after completing the mission and experience everything here again," she said.

Hong Kong's growing role under 'One Country, Two Systems'

Lai's historic flight does not occur in a vacuum – it is the most visible outcome of Hong Kong's deepening integration into China's space program under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework.

For years, Hong Kong universities have quietly contributed to national space missions with world-class engineering and science. 

Hong Kong Polytechnic University developed robotic arms and sampling devices for the Chang'e lunar missions and a camera for the Tianwen-1 Mars mission. 

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) is contributing an imaging payload to Chang'e-7, destined for the lunar south pole later this year.

The University of Hong Kong's Laboratory for Space Research will also participate in the Tianwen-3 Mars sample-return mission, with HKU scientists serving as principal investigators on international payloads – a first for the HKSAR.

"Under the framework of 'One Country, Two Systems,' Hong Kong is expected to leverage its international advantages to further gather and cultivate high-end scientific and technological talents, contributing to the advancement of the country's manned space program," said Zhang Jingbo, spokesperson for the China Manned Space Agency.

The HKSAR government has also established the Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Center under the InnoHK research platform, further solidifying the city's role in national space endeavors.

A 'bridge' between Hong Kong and the mainland

When asked about her unique position, Lai described herself as carrying "an additional mission."

"As I come from Hong Kong, I also carry an additional mission: to serve as a bridge for the space endeavors of Hong Kong, Macao and the mainland."

Encouraging young people to pursue their ambitions, Lai offered simple but profound advice. "There is no failure, only success and learning. No matter when, you should always keep striving, stay prepared and persevere, and then you will succeed."

The Shenzhou-23 mission is scheduled for launch at 11:08 p.m. Beijing Time on Sunday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.