Shenzhou IX astronauts share feelings with HK media

HONG KONG - Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng, Liu Wang and Liu Yang who accomplished a historic space docking in June shared their feelings with local media Friday during a four- day visit to Hong Kong, expressing gratitude to Hong Kong residents for their care and support.

Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng arrives at Hong Kong International Airport on Friday. [Photo/Xinhua]

In China's latest space mission in June, the three astronauts aboard the Shenzhou IX spacecraft successfully docked with the country's Tiangong-1 space lab. It is also the first mission that takes China's first female astronaut Liu Yang into orbit.

Jing Haipeng, commander of the crew, said at the meeting with Hong Kong media that this is the third time he has visited the city, and every time he can feel the local people's care and support.

He said that during the June mission he cried on several occasions -- when Shenzhou IX was launched, when President Hu Jintao talked to the crew from Beijing and when he stepped off the capsule after it landed on earth.

Liu Wang said she flew over Hong Kong several times while in space and had wished to visit the city in person.

The first Chinese woman in space said she is honored to represent millions of women in carrying out the space mission, and she treasures the life and experience in space.

Liu said other women can also complete space missions and expects them to play an important role in China's space exploration.

Niu Hongguang, deputy chief commander of China's Manned Space Engineering Project, led a delegation of more than 40 persons, including the three astronauts, to visit Hong Kong. He said the main purpose of the trip is to share the latest achievements of China's manned space program with the Hong Kong people as well as the excitement and joy for the successful space mission.

The delegation will feel the charm of Hong Kong and communicate with the local citizens, he said.