Hong Kong could welcome the astronauts of the Shenzhou-23 mission, including the city’s history-making payload specialist, as early as the first half of next year, the technology chief has said.

Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong also said on Sunday that the government would establish a new space manufacturing research centre under InnoHK this year, focusing on 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI).

“I hope that after the Shenzhou-23 crew returns, a visit by the astronauts to Hong Kong can be organised soon,” he told a television programme. “This could take place as early as the first half of next year.”

Lai Ka-ying, the city’s first astronaut, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwestern mainland China last Sunday as part of the three-member Shenzhou-23 mission headed for the Tiangong space station.

She is also China’s first female payload expert, and the fourth woman the country has sent into space.

According to the China Manned Space Agency, Lai will work alongside mission commander Zhu Yangzhu and Zhang Zhiyuan. The crew members will conduct more than 100 new scientific studies during their time in space.