Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng sent a congratulatory message yesterday to the central government about the successful launch of the Shenzhou-12 crewed spacecraft, the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) said in a statement.

On behalf of the local government, Ho “expressed his warmest congratulations to the nation for another breakthrough in aerospace science,” the statement said, adding that he “also expressed the greatest respect for the crew of three astronauts sent into space, as well as the scientists and others involved in the mission, wishing the mission ongoing success.”

The Shenzhou-12 is the 19th flight mission in the country’s aerospace engineering programme. It is also the first-ever crewed mission for the purposes of constructing China’s space station, Tiangong (“Heavenly Palace”), the statement pointed out.

The latest mission is a showcase for the country’s leapfrog-advances in aerospace science, Ho said in his congratulatory message.

Ho pointed out that the people in Macau, along with their compatriots across the nation, “share the utmost joy and enthusiasm for the country’s achievements in aerospace technology.”

The local government and population “will continue to support the development of the nation’s crewed space programme, and Macau will play its part in advancing the motherland’s prosperity and building the nation into a space power,” he said.