A number of Hong Kong elite said Monday that the successful launch and smooth return of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft is "marvelous" and they wished China's space cause move ahead by leap and bounds.

Hong Kong Legislative Council President Rita Fan told Xinhua reporters that the great achievements in China's space cause were made by all personnel who have participated in the Shenzhou VI space mission. She expected the success of Shenzhou VII and Shenzhou VIII would come soon.

Since Chief Executive Donald Tsang has invited astronauts Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng to visit Hong Kong, Fan believed that the Hong Kong people will cherish this face-to-face contact with the astronauts.

"Our astronauts were strong in will, cool in work and had successfully fulfilled all kinds of experiments in the space. They have greatly encouraged the Hong Kong youth to study and work hard," Fan said.

President of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Paul C W Chu said he was doing lecture exchanges in Taiwan when the Shenzhou VI spacecraft was successfully launched. All of his friends and colleges in Taiwan were quite excited about the news. He believed that the successful launch and smooth return of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft will exert far-reaching influence in China's science, technology, economy, society and many other areas.

President of Hong Kong Polytechnic University Poon Chung-kwong said he was extremely proud of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft mission, which represented a marvelous advancement in scientific and technological development. Since researchers of the university had ever participated in the project of the European Space Agency -- "Exploring the Mars", Pan said they are earnestly expecting to make contribution to the motherland's space cause in the future.

Chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong Ma Lik said the successful launch and return of the Shenzhou VI spacecraft mark a great progress in China's science and technology. As a Chinese in Hong Kong, he felt proud of the achievement. As Hong Kong is in its economic rebound, Hong Kong people should learn from the astronauts' spirit and try their best to build a better Hong Kong. He expected to share the joy with the astronauts in Hong Kong.

Chairman of the Goldlion Holdings Ltd., Tsang Hin Chi, who donated 100 million Hong Kong dollars (US$12.9 million) to establish the Space Scientific Research Fund in 2003, said he had prayed for the Shenzhou VI spacecraft since it was launched. He could hardly hold back his joy and excitement when he knew the smooth return of the two heroic astronauts in the early morning. He believed that the growing strength of the nation and the hi-tech development will help China safeguard world peace.

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2005)