The Shenzhou-23 crew aboard the nation's Tiangong space station sent heartfelt Mid-Autumn Festival greetings via a video from 400km above Earth on Friday.

This is the fourth Mid-Autumn Festival since the completion of the space station.

The SAR's first astronaut, Lai Ka-ying, wished everyone good health and happy, fulfilling lives.

Lai said she was deeply moved by the letters and blessings sent to the Shenzhou-23 crew by students they had "virtually met" during a sharing session earlier this month.

She also said that she deeply missed her family.

“Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. This is my first time spending this warm holiday in the vastness of space. Whenever a festive occasion comes, I miss my loved ones even more. When I look at the bright moon from here, and then gaze down at the countless lights of homes on Earth, I miss my family and friends in Hong Kong even more,” she said.

For Shenzhou-23 commander Zhu Yangzhu, this is his second time spending Mid-Autumn Festival in space.

"Though the Earth is far away, our hearts are always beating in sync with our motherland and closely connected with the people of our country."

Zhang Zhiyuan, who is undertaking his first space flight journey said: "Dear family members, if you see a shining 'star' streaking across the night skies, that is our Tiangong, and it is me who misses you."

The three astronauts were launched aboard the Shenzhou-23 spacecraft on May 24 this year, and then entered Tiangong on May 25.

To date, they have been working in orbit for four months.


Edited by Aaron Tam