Age Limit For Space Recruits Is Flexible: IT Chief

Innovation and technology minister Sun Dong said on Saturday the age limit for the country's recruitment in Hong Kong for its space mission may be relaxed for certain candidates.

The China Manned Space Agency is recruiting up to 14 taikonauts, including seven to eight pilots, a few engineers and about two payload specialists.

And the agency will be looking for potential recruits in Hong Kong and Macau for the payload specialist positions, who are mainly responsible for scientific experiments, research and tests during a space mission.

In announcing the unprecedented recruitment on Sunday, officials said candidates needed to be between 30 and 45 "in principle".

"The country's age requirement is in principle - that's why we said in terms of age, we may have a little flexibility, but the final decision will be made by the country," Sun told reporters after attending a Commercial Radio programme.

He said he hoped at least one candidate from Hong Kong could be selected, saying local scientific researchers had reacted to the news with enthusiasm.

Sun also said this could be a great opportunity for Hong Kong to further develop its aerospace industry, and attract overseas Chinese who are now conducting research to come to Hong Kong.

He said China's global navigation satellite system had been developing rapidly, and if Hong Kong could serve as a base, this could allow the SAR to share in the profits and help the country export its services.