\n <\/p>\n<\/section>\nBeijing has invested billions of dollars in its military-run space program as it pursues ambitious plans for a manned lunar landing by 2030.<\/p>\n
The China Manned Space Agency said Tuesday that a payload specialist from Hong Kong and another from Macau were among 10 candidates for the country’s fourth batch of astronauts.<\/p>\n
Hong Kong leader John Lee called it “a glorious page in Hong Kong’s history”.<\/p>\n
“This is… the first time that a Hong Kong citizen was selected as a payload specialist in China’s manned space program, with a chance to become an astronaut to go to space in person, to participate in research and to contribute the country’s space program,” Lee said.<\/p>\n
Macau’s government also issued a statement Tuesday, calling the selection of one of its own “an honor” that sent “a strong inspirational message to the young people of Macau”.<\/p>\n
The China Manned Space Agency said the decision to select astronauts from the two territories “has garnered strong support and enthusiastic participation from local communities”.<\/p>\n
Plans for China’s “space dream” have been put into overdrive under Chinese President Xi Jinping.<\/p>\n
Beijing has heavily invested in its space program over the past decade, trying to catch up with the United States and Russia after years of belatedly matching their milestones.<\/p>\n
The country notched a win this month after its probe carrying samples from the far side of the moon started its journey back to Earth.<\/p>\n
Other achievements included building a space station called Tiangong, or “heavenly palace”, as well as landing robotic rovers on Mars and the moon.<\/p>\n
China aims to send a crewed mission to the moon by 2030 and plans to build a base on the lunar surface.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tChina announces first astronaut candidates from Hong Kong, Macau (2024, June 11)
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tretrieved 11 June 2024
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