Chinese astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng and leading engineers of Shenzhou VI, China's second manned space mission, arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday for a three-day visit and academic exchange at the invitation of Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang.
Excited screams and applause exploded at the arrival terminal of Hong Kong International Airport as soon as the two astronauts in blue jumpsuits appeared in front of a waiting crowd.
Six primary students presented the delegation with fresh flowers, while more than 500 people, mostly students, formed long lines on both sides of the pass of the delegation.
Some waved Chinese nation flag and that of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), some pushed forward to have a closer look of the two astronauts.
The welcome ceremony lasted about five minutes, ending when the delegation, accompanied by HKSAR Financial Secretary Henry Tang, disappeared at the entrance of the parking lot.
The visit has heated up Hong Kong people's interests in space knowledge, especially the youngsters' curiosity about aerospace technology and Chinese development in this sector, commented local newspaper.
To express Hong Kong people's hospitality to the delegation, the HKSAR government set up billboards, hung colorful flags and pasted large-size posters at some 20 sites around the city.
A variety of show by Hong Kong's artists and celebrities is organized on Sunday afternoon to welcome the 30-strong delegation, which will meet with the public at the show venue of Hong Kong Stadium.
The free tickets to the show have been given out days before the event, according to local reports.
Besides the show, the delegation is scheduled to meet with all circles of life during their stay in Hong Kong, giving science presentations and communicating with the public.
(Xinhua News Agency November 27, 2005)
