Shenzhou-23 Astronauts May Visit Hong Kong Next Year, New AI and 3D Printing Space Centre Announced

A hero’s homecoming in the works

The proposed visit would bring all three Shenzhou-23 crew members—payload specialist Lai Ka-ying, flight engineer Zhu Yangzhu, and spacecraft pilot Zhang Zhiyuan—to Hong Kong . While the details are still being finalised with mainland authorities, Sun said he hopes the astronauts can engage directly with the public .

Before they even land, Hong Kong students will get a chance to speak with them. Sun revealed that the government is also arranging a real-time video chat between local students and the astronauts while they are still in orbit . The move underscores a broader push to inspire Hong Kong's youth through exposure to space science.

Building space technology on the ground

Alongside the visit announcement, Sun confirmed that Hong Kong will set up a new space manufacturing research centre this year (2026) under the flagship InnoHK innovation programme .

The centre will focus specifically on harnessing 3D printing and artificial intelligence (AI) to support space development . These technologies are considered critical for long-duration spaceflight, enabling the on-demand production of tools, components, and even biological materials in microgravity. By concentrating on these areas, Hong Kong aims to position itself as a meaningful contributor to China's long-term space ambitions.

A pivotal moment for Hong Kong's space ambitions

The twin announcements mark a significant moment for the city's space profile. Lai's mission, the first crewed flight under China's 15th Five-Year Plan, has already generated extraordinary public interest . Hosting the returning astronauts would sustain that momentum, while the new InnoHK centre aims to convert enthusiasm into lasting technological capability.

For now, Lai and her crewmates continue their scheduled experiments aboard the space station. If current plans hold, their arrival in Hong Kong next year will serve as a symbolic capstone to a mission that has already changed the way the city sees its role in orbit.