The unprecedented participation of a Hong Kong researcher in the nation’s space flight mission is testament to the country’s high regard for the city’s innovation and technology talent and accomplishments, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has said.

Lee congratulated payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, who is also a police superintendent, after she was named on Saturday morning as one of three astronauts who will take the Shenzhou-23 space flight to China’s Tiangong space station on Sunday evening.

The government also announced on Saturday morning that Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong and Undersecretary for Security Michael Cheuk Hau-yip had led a delegation of government officials, tech experts and students to participate in a send-off ceremony for Lai and the two other astronauts at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China.

“The participation of a scientific researcher from Hong Kong in the space flight mission for the first time is not only an affirmation of her own capability, but also a testimony of the country’s high recognition of Hong Kong’s innovation and technology talent, development and achievements,” Lee said.

He added that Hong Kong was “embracing a historic moment” in its aerospace ambitions by contributing to national aerospace development and research as part of China’s 15th five-year plan.

Hong Kong’s contributions included providing systems, instruments and technical support for China’s lunar and Mars exploration missions and spaceborne experiments, he said.