As the next generation carrier rocket, the Long March-5 is propelled with a combination of liquid oxygen and hydrogen, the most efficient propellant available.

Before China, only the United States and Europe had similar power systems. The upgrade to the power system and size means the rocket is capable of sending payloads of 25 tons into low Earth orbits - that's around the same weight as 16 cars - and a capacity three times greater than previous rockets.

With this load capacity, the Long March-5 gives China's space program a powerful boost.

"The successful production of the Long March-5 rocket, will greatly enhance our country's carrying capacity into space. It will set a new example for the domestic development of rockets," Wu Yanhua, deputy director of China's State Administration of Science, Technology & Industry for National Defense, said.