China plans to make manned moon landing before 2030, says vice chief of space

China plans to send astronauts to the moon before 2030, said the national Manned Space delegation on Tuesday, and is looking forward to the first astronaut from Hong Kong being sent to the Tiangong space station.

The comments came after the delegation, led by Deputy Director General of the China Manned Space Agency Lin Xiqiang, arrived in the city for a four-day visit. The 17 members included Shenzhou-12 astronaut Liu Boming, Shenzhou-13 astronaut Wang Yaping, Shenzhou-14 mission commander Chen Dong, Shenzhou-15 astronaut Zhang Lu, as well as experts from related fields of the manned space engineering systems.

Lin stated in a media briefing that China planned to make manned moon landing within six years and has started the development of new-generation rockets as well as spaceships for the goal.

He said Chinese President Xi Jinping highly valued the technological development of Hong Kong and Macau, and both cities have previously participated in the national space missions.

The vice chief of China Manned Space Agency looks forward to seeing astronauts from Hong Kong and Macau deployed to the Tiangong space station.

Lin said China's space station is open to the world and welcomes countries to join hands with China on aerospace development. He believed that astronauts from foreign countries would work at the Chinese space station in the future.

According to Lin, the selection of the fourth batch of national astronauts, launched in 2022, has entered the final stage with candidates from Hong Kong and Macau.

The delegation will meet with teachers and students from local secondary and primary schools for exchanges, and attend a variety show at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Wednesday.