Hong Kong scientists and technicians are welcomed to contribute their shares to the development of the motherland's space undertakings, said Xu Dazhe, visiting deputy head of the Delegation of the Shenzhou-6 Manned Space Mission here Tuesday.

Xu, also deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Ltd, said in a meeting with chief editors of several local press agencies that the Chinese mainland can cooperate with Hong Kong scientists on medical care of taikonauts.

He said the medium and long period of space flights may cause losses to the skeleton systems. Hong Kong has the edge on the treatment of osteoporosis and the development of related pharmaceuticals.

Xu said the joining of efforts will help the development of pharmaceuticals for protection of taikonauts.

The mainland and Hong Kong can also cooperate in material science and emulation science fields, he added.

He said, the Chinese mainland has already cooperated with Hong Kong in establishing satellite remote sensing ground station in the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The Chinese mainland expects to promote exchanges with Hong Kong in space science and technology, in an effort to jointly advance the space undertakings of the motherland, he said.