Event Overview
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has long been deeply engaged in the aerospace field, having participated in multiple national deep space exploration missions and actively supporting aerospace science popularisation. PolyU and the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory (DSEL) co-organised the First National Deep Space Cultural and Creative Works Promotional Event, themed "Dreaming of Deep Space, Sharing the Future", calling for outstanding cultural and creative works from across the country. The final evaluation was completed on 16 June 2026, with an awards ceremony, expert lectures and other activities held on the same day at the PolyU campus, fostering the deep integration of science popularisation and technological innovation and injecting new momentum into the future development of China's deep space exploration endeavours.
Hong Kong Science Popularization and Science Fiction Academy (HKSPSF) participated in the event as one of the supporting organisations. The event was co-organised by the International Deep Space Exploration Society, and supported by the China Soong Ching Ling Science and Culture Centre for Young People, the Centre for International Cultural Communication (CICG), the Arts and Science Research Centre of Tsinghua University, the Beijing-Hong Kong Talent Exchange Centre, the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre, HKSPSF, the Macao Science Center, and AstroReach (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.
Awards Ceremony
Distinguished guests attending the awards ceremony included Mr Liu Maozhou, First-Level Inspector of the Department of Education and Science of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong S.A.R.; Professor Chao Yugeng, Senior Director (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Mr Yu Jike, Deputy Director of DSEL; Mr Xu Haishan, President of the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre; Professor Lu Xiaobo, Director of the Tsinghua University Art Museum; and Mr Liu Qiye, Chief Museum Manager of the Hong Kong Science Museum.
In his welcoming address, Professor Chao Yugeng said: "PolyU's research teams have been deeply involved in the core missions of the Chang'e and Tianwen series, continuously contributing 'Hong Kong wisdom'. Through this event, PolyU and DSEL have joined hands to create a platform linking technology, culture and imagination of the future — promoting the synergy between science popularisation and sci-tech innovation, and further inspiring the younger generation's passion for aerospace exploration. It is of profound significance."
Mr Yu Jike noted: "PolyU has been deeply integrated into the national deep space exploration endeavour, leveraging its strong research capabilities and talent advantages to help ensure the successful implementation of major aerospace missions such as Chang'e and Tianwen. Tightly aligned with the theme of 'the cross-boundary integration of deep space exploration and cultural creativity', this event has built a high-quality platform where technology meets art, the Chinese mainland meets Hong Kong, and professional exploration coexists with public creation."
Submissions and Judging
The call for entries comprised a Student Group and an Open Group, receiving a total of over 600 submissions, of which around 100 came from Hong Kong and Macao. The Open Group was open to all sectors of society, with participants spanning enterprises, research institutions, individual creators and cross-disciplinary teams, fully reflecting the breadth of participation and social impact of the event. The judging panel was composed of senior experts from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong across fields such as deep space science, science popularisation, and art and design. Following rigorous evaluation, a group of outstanding works combining scientific depth with artistic appeal was selected.
The event presented multi-tier awards to recognise outstanding participants, with the Grand Prize of the entire competition awarded to "Pugong — A Vision for Future Interstellar Exploration", created by a student team from Tsinghua University. The work puts forward an innovative concept for interstellar study tours, including the design of a multi-functional interstellar mothership and the construction of a complete interstellar transport system, carrying young people into deep space to conduct planetary exploration.
Expert Lectures and Panel Discussion
The expert lectures that followed further promoted the organic integration of academic exchange and public science popularisation. Ms Lin Shan, Chief Expert of the Deep Space Exploration Science Popularisation Centre; Professor Wu Bo, Deputy Director of PolyU's Deep Space Exploration Research Centre; and Ms Zhou Wu, specially invited expert of the Deep Space Exploration Science Popularisation Centre, delivered keynote speeches on topics including the current state of human deep space exploration, PolyU's research progress in deep space exploration and aerospace science popularisation practices, and how artificial intelligence empowers science fiction creation.
The panel discussion, themed "Science Popularisation of Aerospace Scientific Exploration", was moderated by Ms Zhao Xin, Head of the Brand Operations Department of DSEL's Beijing company. Ms Zhou Wu; Mr Liu Yanjun, Chairman of the Greater Bay Area Aerospace Science Popularisation Centre; Dr Su Zhurong, Museum Director of the Hong Kong Space Museum; and Mr Li Zheng, General Manager of the Zhuhai Space Center took part in the discussion. The experts exchanged views on cross-sector collaboration and future directions for space science popularisation, and engaged in an active Q&A with the audience.
"Chasing the Skies" Thematic Exhibition
During the event, PolyU's campus also hosted the "Chasing the Skies" thematic exhibition. Through images, videos and physical models, the exhibition traced the magnificent journey of China's deep space exploration missions, from lunar orbiting to Martian roving. The exhibition attracted large numbers of students, staff and members of the public, offering visitors a close-up experience of the fascination of deep space exploration while vividly illustrating the cross-boundary integration of aerospace technology and cultural creativity.
Significance
This promotional event set a precedent for national deep space cultural and creative activities. Through vivid and diverse creative works, it translated distant aerospace technology into cultural experiences that are tangible, resonant and participatory — helping to deepen public understanding of and interest in deep space exploration, while establishing a new platform for the cross-boundary integration of aerospace technology and the arts. The event also fostered deeper collaboration between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in aerospace science popularisation and cultural communication, further enhancing the reach of China's deep space exploration culture.
Images: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University media release (17 June 2026)
Further reading: The First National Deep Space Cultural and Creative Works Promotional Event — Dreaming of Deep Space, Sharing the Future