China lifts national pride with space program's achievements

Three astronauts prepare to enter station's core module, becoming first occupants and preparing for next steps

Editor's note: To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, China Daily is publishing a series of stories on the changes and developments in various fields and industries.

China plans to conduct its latest manned spaceflight in June, sending three astronauts to enter the recently launched core module of the nation's space station and work there for three months, according to a senior space official.

Hao Chun, director of the China Manned Space Agency, said earlier this month that the astronauts on board the Shenzhou XII spacecraft will become the first occupants of the core module and will be tasked with undertaking preparation work for the next steps in the station's construction.