Foundation funding crucial to space elites
( 2003-11-05 10:30) (China Daily)
Since 1990, more than 500 Chinese space professionals have benefited from
funding support from a foundation named after Macao business tycoon Stanley Ho
Hung-sun, space programme officials said Tuesday.
Wang Liheng, director of the science and technology commission under the
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, said the Hong Kong-based
foundation offers funding support totalling nearly 30 million Hong Kong dollars
(US$3.6 million) to about 100 training and exchange programmes for young space
professionals.
The funding support was crucial since Chinese space professionals had been
paid insufficiently until recently.
Meanwhile, Tsang Hin-Chi, chairman of the Hong Kong Chinese General Chamber
of Commerce, said he will donate HK$100 million (US$12.88 million) to set up the
Tsang Hin-Chi Space Development Fund.
He made the announcement at a dinner last Saturday in Hong Kong to honour
China's first astronaut, Yang Liwei, and the delegation of China's first manned
space mission.
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