Nation determined to land astronauts on lunar surface

China is determined to land its astronauts on the moon and set up a scientific station there, according to a project leader.

Zhou Yanfei, deputy chief designer of China's manned space program, said on Friday that China wishes to use the manned lunar missions to carry out scientific surveys and technology demonstrations, explore ways to develop lunar resources and strengthen the nation's space capabilities.

"A new wave of lunar explorations has been emerging in the world, with participants aiming to make sustainable missions to deepen knowledge of the moon and exploit resources there," he said in a report delivered at the 2020 China Space Conference in Fuzhou, Fujian province. "Unlike other nations, China must depend on its own science and technology to realize our goals."