The Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa this morning wrote to President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Central Military Commission Jiang Zemin and Premier Wen Jiabao, congratulating our motherland on the successful launch and smooth return of the Shenzhou V spacecraft.

He said: "Following the successful launch and return of this manned spacecraft which has been designed and developed by our country, our manned spacecraft technology has entered an important era.

"The 6.8 million people of Hong Kong are overjoyed, jubilant and very much encouraged to hear the news."

On behalf of the people of Hong Kong, Mr Tung conveyed warmest congratulations to the Central Government and all the personnel involved in the landmark project.

"The success of Shenzhou V highlights the country's growing strength as it enjoys the most stable, energetic, comprehensive and fruitful period of development in the contemporary history of China. Full of enthusiasm, the people are prepared to work for a brighter future," he said.

"It also demonstrates that the nation's grand objective to scale new heights can be achieved."