Astronaut Jing Haipeng talks to student representatives during a dialogue session with primary and secondary students at Queen Elizabeth Stadium yesterday. Edmond Tang

Shenzhou VII astronauts Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng shared their experiences as the first Chinese to walk in space with more than 2,000 students yesterday.

Marking the last day of a four-day visit at Queen Elizabeth Stadium, Jing told Hong Kong students to treasure what they have. He recalled having to walk 35 km every week to get to junior high school carrying his food for the week, 30 buns he brought from home on his weekly visits. That was the beginning of his training in perseverance.

"I hope you can treasure your good education and living conditions and become pillars for Hong Kong and our country," he said.

Although it was not Jing who finished China's first spacewalk, he said he felt happy for his colleague Zhai.

"We've learnt and worked together for 10 years," he said. "We are the best buddies and companions in battle."

From space, said Zhai, the planet Earth looks beautiful and bright but he did not have the time nor the mood to admire the view because he had work to do.

Astronauts have to undergo long and hard training that leaves them little time to look after their families. The first thing he did when he got back home was do housework.

"I want to thank my family's support for the past 10 years," he said.

Their talk had its light moments. When a student asked what things the astronauts would bring to their next space mission, Jing said he wanted to bring Hong Kong delicacies, filling the stadium with laughter. Zhai, for his part, said he wanted to take a television to watch news from earth.

Another student wondered if the astronauts had ever thought about how to introduce China to any extra-terrestrials they might meet in space. Liu said he has actually considered how to greet extraterrestrials.

"If they don't understand my language I'll try to communicate with them with body language," he said.

The astronauts also encouraged students to embrace failure and pursue their dreams without fear.

Speaking from personal experience. Liu said astronauts might only get a chance to go on a space mission once a decade.

"Never give up and your dream will come true," he said.

Secretary for Education Michael Suen, who officiated the dialogue session, hoped students could learn from the astronauts' perseverance.

Earlier yesterday, the astronauts also presented awards to winners of a poster design competition and a quiz on aerospace knowledge.

Before leaving for Macao, the delegation ended their visit to Hong Kong with a farewell ceremony at Government House. Chief Executive Donald Tsang thanked them for their visit, saying they had let the people of Hong Kong feel the greatness of the country and brought with them motivation and a joyful spirit.

At the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal, head of the delegation Zhang Jianqi said the group felt the passion of Hong Kong people and their support for the country's aerospace development program.

(HK Edition 12/09/2008 page1)