The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, sent today a congratulatory message to the Central Government on the successful launch of the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft.

On behalf of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive expressed his warmest congratulations to the country for another breakthrough in aerospace science.

Mr Chui said the successful launch of Shenzhou-11 represented a key milestone in the country’s space programme and in manned spacecraft technology.

Mr Chui also conveyed his highest respect and sincere greetings to the two astronauts on board of Shenzhou-11, and to all those who had contributed to the development of the country’s aerospace industry.

Shenzhou-11 will dock with space lab Tiangong-2, where the two astronauts will spend 30 days and conduct a series of tests and experiments.

Mr Chui said the Macao people, along with the overall Chinese people, showed the utmost joy and enthusiasm for the country’s achievements in aerospace technology.

The Government – together with Macao’s population – would continue to support the development of the country’s manned space programme and contribute to the prosperity of the motherland, he said.

The spacecraft took off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 7.30am.