Hours before their mission is set to begin, three Shenzhou-23 astronauts – including Lai Ka-ying of Hong Kong – were given a warm send-off.

The ceremony was held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Sunday evening.

Large crowds were on hand to offer their well wishes to mission commander Zhu Yangzhu, Zhang Zhiyuan and Lai.

The Shenzhou-23 spaceship is scheduled to be launched at 11.08pm.


Edited by Edmond Fong