Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, has qualified for spaceflight with excellent performance, according to a spokesman for the China Manned Space Agency.

Zhang Jingbo, a senior engineer at the agency, said at a news conference on Saturday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center that since Lai joined the astronaut team in August 2024, she has completed more than 200 training subjects across eight major categories, accumulating over 1,700 training hours.

The Hong Kong policewoman has passed the flight qualification assessment with excellent scores, the spokesman said.

Pursuant to mission arrangements, Lai has completed intensive training in space scientific research and technological experiments, space station operations, and the operation of manned spacecraft and robotic arms. She has met all criteria for undertaking spaceflight missions, Zhang said.

She is currently in good condition and is working in close coordination with other crew members, the spokesman noted.

Regarding the training progress of the two Pakistani astronaut trainees, Zhang said they have been acquiring spaceflight knowledge and skills at the Astronaut Center of China in Beijing since arriving in late April.

He added that the two trainees are also learning Chinese in preparation for their upcoming space training.

Under an agreement between the China Manned Space Agency and Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, the two Pakistani nationals will receive astronaut training in Beijing. The better-performing candidate will be selected to fly to the Tiangong space station alongside Chinese crew members and conduct short-duration work as a payload specialist.