Hundreds of people waved national flags and regional flags of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) to welcome Yang Liwei and other guests at the airport.

At the Government House, officials and business leaders along with local people waited enthusiastically for Yang and the delegation shortly before night fell.

Small kids were the most excited for being among the first to meet the heroes.

"I just want to shake hands with uncle Yang," Hu Hui, a student from Ban Xiandao Elementary School. He said, "I really want to find out the 'differences' between an astronaut and a common man."

An attendee of the reception ceremony said she is also eager to have a look at the country's first astronaut. "I'm an artist, I want to get some inspiration from him," she said.

At the welcoming ceremony, Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said that from the very day of the success of the first Chinese manned spacecraft, Hong Kong people have been longing for seeing Yang Liwei in Hong Kong, and now the chance has come.

"Your trip to Hong Kong is great encouragement and support to our people," said Tung.

  He said that sharing the enjoyment of the great achievement with the mainland people, Hong Kong people, especially the youth, will surely increase their pride and confidence.

Yang Liwei said he "felt the passion of the compatriots" of Hong Kong once setting his foot here. 

Vice director-general of China's manned space flight program Hu Shixiang said Hong Kong people's enthusiasm encourages the scientists greatly and lets them feel the honor of doing their work.

With Yang and Hu also came dozens of space scientists, most not known to the average Hong Kong people. Introducing them to the audience, they stressed the space program is a joint project combining exertions of thousands of scientists and researchers.

The delegation also brought the re-entry capsule of the spacecraft to Hong Kong as one of the exhibits for the Exhibition on China's First Manned Space Mission to be held between Saturday and Tuesday.

Yang Liwei and the delegation will stay in Hong Kong for six days. On Saturday morning, they will open the exhibition at the Science Museum, and in the afternoon join a big welcoming gathering organized by the community groups at the Hong Kong Stadium.

  On Monday, Yang Liwei will chat with Hong Kong students. "I will ask why he was chosen to be an astronaut," Yan Leyi, a student selected by her elementary school to the chat, has made up her mind already, as she added, "I know it's difficult, but I want to be the first woman astronaut of the nation."

(Xinhua News Agency November 1, 2003)