China to develop space lab now

Buoyed by the success of its first manned space mission, China on Thursday announced that it would now concentrate on launching lunar and outer space probe programmes.

"China would strive for breakthroughs in space rendezvous and docking technology for launching a space lab and eventually a manned space station," Deputy Chief Commander of China's manned space programme, Zhang Qingwei, said.

Space-based infrastructure, including the planned space lab and station, will serve as a platform for deep space probe, he said.

Also see: China's maiden manned space mission a success