PolyU recently had the honour of welcoming Academician Wu Weiren, Chief Designer of the Chinese Lunar Exploration Programme, for an inspiring talk titled “Chasing Dreams in Space, Exploring the Cosmos”. More than 600 students, staff, alumni, and guests gathered to hear his insights on the Nation’s latest developments and strategic plans in aerospace missions.

As an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Director and Chief Scientist of the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, and Chairman of the International Deep Space Exploration Association, Wu is a leading figure in China’s space sector. His team has spearheaded historic missions, including the Chang’e lunar series, and is now advancing the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), a multinational project initiated by China.

Delivering an informative and engaging talk, Wu introduced the audience to the world of global space exploration, highlighting the Nation’s landmark achievements such as the discovery of Changesite-(Y), the sixth new mineral found on the Moon, through lunar soil samples collected by the Chang’e-5 mission. He also emphasised the importance of deep space resources and noted that space is a key arena for fostering new quality productive forces.

Furthermore, he acknowledged the contributions of Hong Kong’s universities and research institutions, including PolyU, to the Nation’s deep space missions. PolyU has supported the safe lunar landing and sample collection of the Chang’e lunar missions, as well as the safe landing of the Tianwen-1 mission on Mars. The University has also obtained approval to borrow lunar soil samples for research and is actively involved in national aerospace initiatives, such as studies on the Shijian‑19 satellite and projects to mitigate risks from space debris on satellites and space stations.

Prof. Jin-Guang Teng (6th from right), along with the University’s senior leadership team, staff members, and guests, welcome Academician Wu Weiren (6th from left).

Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, expressed gratitude to Wu for sharing his experience and visionary insights, which ignite students’ passion for chasing their dreams in space. “As our country continues to make breakthroughs in aerospace technology and deep space exploration, PolyU is honoured to be part of this journey—standing as the only university in Hong Kong to have participated in multiple national space missions. Looking ahead, PolyU remains committed to cultivating outstanding research talent and driving innovation in related fields, helping to build the Nation into a space power,” he said.

The University continues to play an active role in the Nation’s space exploration initiatives. To learn more about PolyU’s research and developments in this field, please visit the website of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations.

Following the talk, Wu joined a dialogue session with PolyU students, moderated by Professor Wu Bo, Fiona Cheung Professor in Spatial Science, Associate Head (Research) of the PolyU Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, and Associate Director of the Research Centre for Deep Space Explorations. When asked about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in future deep space projects, Academician Wu explained that large-scale deep space exploration involves thousands of personnel and that AI will facilitate intelligent astronautics, exploration, control, communication, navigation, and more.

An engaging dialogue session followed the talk, where Prof. Wu Bo (1st from left) moderated a discussion between Academician Wu (2nd from left) and PolyU students on topics including the use of AI in space exploration.

Academician Wu visited Hong Kong at the invitation of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to participate in “A Master Lecture For Children”, an event co-funded by the Institute of Philanthropy and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups as a strategic partner and supported by the Hong Kong Rosamond Foundation Company Limited.