China's first astronaut Yang Liwei was feted as a space star during his recent Hong Kong tour. Thursday he wrote to the Hong Kong public to express his thanks to Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa for the invitation and to Hong Kong people for their warm hospitality.

Colonel Yang's sincerity and appreciation of Hongkonger's intelligence should be a stimulant to those of us who are in difficulty. He has gently nudged us not to stop fighting to get over the adversity.

In his thank-you letter, Yang Liwei says that he could feel HK's vitality and he is so proud of what Hongkongers have achieved. He adds that the spirit of the astronaut - that is, hardship-endurance, hard-fighting, facing difficulties and dedication - is the essence of Chinese nationalism. He deeply believes that Hong Kong compatriots who share such spirit, under the leadership of Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and the HKSAR government, will give full play to resourcefulness and make every effort to build Hong Kong into a more brilliant city.

Yang calls upon all Chinese to take full initiative, blaze new trails and work unceasingly for an even brighter Chinese nation.

China has experienced many changes and challenges in the course of its modern history. However, facing various kinds of crisis and hardship, numerous people with high aspirations have supported our great nationalism and have braved dangers, fought courageously and dedicated their lives to realize independence and prosperity of the nation.

They have helped Hong Kong and Macao return to the motherland and made the unprecedented concept of "One Country, Two Systems" into a successful daily reality.

The Chinese nationalism and the astronaut spirit mentioned by Colonel Yang have very close correlations. Yang's recent visit to Hong Kong has stimulated local people's identity to their country, and strengthened their sense of Chinese nationalism.

Yang says in his thank-you letter that he firmly believes Hong Kong people will finally advance from their difficulties and face a bright future. People in Hong Kong are sure to live up to the expectation of Yang and the people of the whole country.

Braving the hardship and fighting for the better have long been the fine traditions of Chinese nationalism and an important cornerstone of Hong Kong's achieved miracle. Despite some ups and downs over the past six years, as long as Hongkongers carry on with their can-do spirit, with the full support of the motherland, they will well be able to overcome the adversity.

When Yang and his workmates carry out another flight mission and glimpse the earth in the future, they will see Hong Kong, dubbed the pearl of the Orient, to be more dazzling and glamorous.

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