Full coverage: China Tiangong-2 Space Lab Launch

China has been increasing its expenditure on research and development of its carrier rocket. With the successful launch of the Long March-5 carrier rocket this year, China has further developed the commercial use of the rocket with lower costs and enhanced competitiveness.

The new generation of China's commercial rockets mainly include Sun-synchronous orbit satellites that focus on ground mapping, resource exploration and disaster relief. The family includes the Long March 5, 6, and 7. Experts have also started a feasibility study of the Long March 8, which will have a much higher carrying capacity.

Apart from the achievements made by commercial launches, the development of rockets with a carrying capacity of 100 tons has entered a critical juncture.

"It's estimated that we will solve all the technological problems of the heavy rockets by the end of 2019. The carrying capacity of near-earth orbit rockets range from one hundred to one hundred thirty tons. Therefore, we could explore planets or asteroids that are further away and send astronauts to the moon for scientific research," Lei Fanpei, deputy commander of China's Manned Space Programme, said.