Jointly presented by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and the China Manned Space agency, and organised by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department, the China Manned Space Exhibition will be staged from tomorrow to February 18 next year.

The expo, with free admission, consists of two zones which will be held at the Science Museum and the Museum of History, featuring about 30 groups of exhibits.

The exhibition area at the Science Museum’s 2/F Exhibition Hall showcases remarkable engineering achievements and exciting development prospects in relation to space exploration.

Highlighted exhibits include the Shenzhou spacecraft return capsule, a intravehicular space suit, a model of a space station, carrier rocket models of Long March-2F, Long March-7 and Long March-5B, and models of new-generation manned spacecraft and lunar lander.

Meanwhile, the exhibition area at the Museum of History’s 1/F Main Lobby centres on the history of China’s manned space development, providing visitors with an insightful look into the extraordinary 30-year journey towards the goal.

Addressing the opening ceremony at the Science Museum today, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki said the China Manned Space Exhibition is expected arouse the interest of Hong Kong people - especially the younger generation - in space science, and inspire them to pursue their space dreams through building a solid foundation of knowledge in innovation and technology.

Hong Kong candidates’ entry to the final round of the payload specialists recruitment is a testimony to the country’s great importance and recognition bestowed upon Hong Kong, he pointed out.

Mr Chan added that he looked forward to seeing Hong Kong people contribute to the country’s aerospace endeavours in future.

Other officiating guests today included Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR Deputy Director Lu Xinning, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong SAR Deputy Commissioner Fang Jianming, Deputy Commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison Major General Zheng Guoyue, and relevant officials. Key commanders and designers of the manned space programme also attended.