China's first woman in space, Liu Yang, has urged young Hongkongers to work hard and pursue their dreams of exploring the universe. Liu Yang believes that the vastness of space holds endless possibilities for Chinese people. To further inspire Hongkongers, an aerospace science education center has been established in Hong Kong. The center, a collaboration between the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers and the Chinese Society of Astronautics, aims to educate and inform the public about China's space program and its achievements. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has emphasized the importance of developing innovation and technology and nurturing talent in these fields. The new primary school science curriculum will include topics on national aerospace and innovative technology to spark interest in space exploration from an early age. The aerospace education base will showcase China's breakthroughs and accomplishments, providing young people with a better understanding of the latest developments. Additionally, it has been announced that the first Hongkonger has been selected as a payload specialist in China's manned space program, marking a significant milestone for Hong Kong's participation in space missions. [98088272]
Hong Kong will allocate targeted funding to support local research teams involved in national space missions. The government aims to provide financial support to research teams working on initiatives such as the development of autonomous navigation robots. This move comes as the first Hongkonger prepares to begin her training as a payload specialist in China's space program. The identity of the selected individual has not been disclosed. The selection process for astronauts included a three-week recruitment drive, with 14 spots available. Hong Kong received 120 applications, which were narrowed down to a list of 40 people for consideration by the national space agency. The government of Hong Kong is also taking steps to enhance cybersecurity measures in both the public and private sectors. New measures are expected to be rolled out next month, including the appointment of a directorate-level officer in each policy bureau or government department to oversee cybersecurity. These officers will play a crucial role in managing the aftermath of cybersecurity incidents and proposing improvements. Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong expressed confidence in turning Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology center and emphasized efforts to translate innovation and technology into tangible economic growth. [5462fd25]