The chief of Macao Special Administration Region (SAR) on Sunday sent his message of congratulation to the State Council, China's Cabinet, for the nation's successful accomplishment of its Shenzhou-7 space mission.

Macao SAR Chief Executive Ho Hau Wah said in the message that he would like to pay the highest tribute to the three astronauts, namely Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng, and all the experts, technicians and other staff and military personnel who participated in the project.

On the eve of the 59th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China (October 1), the nation accomplished the launch and return of Shenzhou-7 spacecraft, the success of which "turned a new page in the history of China's space exploration," he noted.

(Xinhua News Agency September 29, 2008)