The Shenzhou-23 crew, now in Tiangong space station, includes the first taikonaut from Hong Kong SAR, Li Jiaying, who is serving as the team's payload specialist. The crew began their journey to the space station on Sunday from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

A Hong Kong delegation was at the launch site to witness what they described as moments that made "the whole of Hong Kong proud."

Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR, told CGTN that Hong Kong is working to align its innovative development with the national 15th Five-Year Plan. He added that the city will continue its contributions to the country's space development.

Professor Anderson Shum, Vice-President (Research) at City University of Hong Kong, told CGTN that the science community has been encouraged to dream bigger and be more ambitious.