Three taikonauts, or Chinese astronauts, and other members of the Shenzhou VII manned space mission wrapped up their four-day visit to Hong Kong Monday and headed for Macao to share the country's glory.

Among the 34-strong delegation were three taikonauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng who jointly carried out China 's historic maiden space walk this September with the Shenzhou VII spacecraft, which means "divine vessels" in English.

At the seeing-off ceremony held at the Hong Kong-Macao Ferry Terminal, Zhang Jianqi, head of the delegation, told the crowds that the delegation had seen themselves the beauty of Hong Kong and felt the love of Hong Kong people for the country's aerospace development.

"The love and trust you placed on the delegation will further encourage us to devote to our country's aerospace cause wholeheartedly with greater achievements," he added.

Hundreds of Hong Kong people saw the delegation off at the terminal.

The delegation, who arrived in Hong Kong Friday, received warm welcome and shared their space experience with the Hong Kong public during their four-day visit to the metropolis.

During their stay in Hong Kong, the delegation received warm welcome from the society in a series of activities. They shared with tertiary and university students on the launch of Shenzhou VII, space walk technology and China's aerospace science development.

The taikonauts also unveiled an exhibition on the country's first spacewalk mission with exhibits of the re-entry capsule, space suits and other equipment used in the mission.

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2008)