Full coverage: China Astronautics Day

The government has set April 24th as China's Space Day. At a press conference in Beijing, Xu Dazhe, a director of the China National Space Administration, said the move reflects the country is attaching great importance to the space industry.

It also demonstrates China's principle of peaceful use of outer space, and shows its aerospace workers' ambition in striving for innovation. China's first man-made earth satellite -- 'Dong Fang Hong One -- was successfully launched on April 24th, 1970. It is seen as a breakthrough and foundation-laying in the country's space industry.

"This year marks the beginning of China's 13th five year plan. The Mars exploration programme for this year will also be approved. The Chang-e four project will kick off, and the Chang-e five project will enter a critical period,"

Also, the Beidou satellite navigation system will further expand its coverage around the world. We will also see the maiden-flights of long March five and seven launch vehicles as well as the launches and the docking of the Tiangong second and Shenzhou 11 this year," said Xu Dazhe, head of China National Space Administration.