Even Yang's pulse quickens a bit in Hong Kong

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, November 03, 2003

Even Yang's pulse quickens a bit in Hong Kong

China's first astronaut Yang Liwei received a warm welcome by Hong Kong's people and become a dominant figure in Hong Kong's major newspapers and media.

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China's first astronaut Yang Liwei received a warm welcome by Hong Kong's people and become a dominant figure in Hong Kong's major newspapers and media.

Invited by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on behalf of Hong Kong's 6.8 million residents, the 38-year-old astronaut arrived with a delegation from China's First Manned Space Mission on Friday night.

Facing a huge audience, Yang told the crowd he was "very excited" to be among his "enthusiastic Hong Kong compatriots."

"It made my heart beat faster than when I was in the spacecraft...Hong Kong is much more beautiful than I had imagined. It's like a pearl," he said.

Hu Shixiang, director-general of China's manned space programme, said at Saturday's gathering that Yang was calm during his 21-hour space flight and his pulse never beat more than 80 times a minute, while his pulse was over 80 at times in Hong Kong because of the people's warm welcome.

"The people's rapturous welcome makes our hearts beat faster," Hu said.

A former PLA pilot, Yang, who was rocketed into space on a Shenzhou V spacecraft to orbit the earth 14 times on October 15-16, became a Chinese and world hero overnight.

His voyage made China the third country in the world to send a human into space, following the former Soviet Union and the United States.

At the gathering, Yang sang with Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan.

"Uncle Yang looks more handsome than on a TV screen," Andrew Chow, a student from the Tang Shiu Kin Primary School said. Chow got his entry ticket from a lucky draw at school and he hoped to get an autograph from Yang.

Three fortunate students were chosen to have a dialogue with Yang, who told them he met many difficulties in his five years of training as an astronaut.

But "one should have the faith in achieving his dream no matter how difficult it is," he told the children.

In another development Tsang Hin-Chi, chairman of Hong Kong Chinese General the Chamber of Commerce, announced on Saturday that he has decided to donate 100 million Hong Kong dollars (US$12.88 million) to establish a Space Development Fund.

It will reward outstanding space experts and astronauts, and help advance the development of China's space industry.

Tsang handed over a first 5-million-HK-dollar (US$644,300) check to Yang Liwei at a banquet.

Tsang said, of the 5 million HK dollars, 1 million HK dollars (US$129,000) will be offered to reward Yang and the other 4 million HK dollars (US$515,500) will be given to all scientists participating in "Shenzhou V."

Yang said he will submit the donated money to the State, and not keep the money for himself.

Tsang said he is eager to do something for the motherland.

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