Chinese Astronauts To Visit Hong Kong Next Week

POLITICAL ECONOMY

AFP file photo of Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng soon after having landing (with their Shenzhou 6 capsule in background).

Hong Kong (AFP) Nov 23, 2005
The two Chinese astronauts who completed China's second manned space flight last month will visit Hong Kong next week, the government said Wednesday.

Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng will arrive in Hong Kong on Sunday for a three-day visit in the Chinese territory before heading to the neighbouring city of Macau, the government said in a statement.

A welcoming ceremony and an official banquet have been organised for the duo who will have a 30-member entourage for the trip.

During the visit, the pair will also visit a space museum and will share their experiences in space with students, academics and athletes, the statement said.

Analysts said the trip aimed to foster patriotism for China a week ahead of a December 4 protest in Hong Kong organised by local democrats to denounce a recently proposed reform package.

Hong Kong's chief executive Donald Tsang last month proposed the modest package which failed to spell out a time frame for its citizens to be given the right to elect their own leader.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed back to Chinese rule in 1997, with a guarantee in the Basic Law, the post-colonial constitution, that universal suffrage is the city's ultimate political goal.

However, the Basic Law is vague on when citizens will be given full democracy.

POLITICAL ECONOMY

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