In 1992, China started its manned space program with a three-step strategy.

Yang Liwei carried out the first step -- to send an astronaut into space and return safely -- in the Shenzhou-5 mission in 2003.

The second step was developing advanced space flight techniques and technologies including extra-vehicular activity and orbital docking. This phase included the launch of Tiangong-1, a transitional platform to test the docking technology and the Tiangong-2 space lab.

So far, a total of 16 major missions of China's manned space program have been accomplished, with a success rate of 100 percent.

China has launched 11 manned spacecraft, one cargo spacecraft, Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2, sending 11 astronauts into space, completing the first two steps of the manned space program.

The next step is to assemble and operate a permanent manned space station.

Tuesday's launch was the 331st mission of the Long March rocket series.

【国内英语资讯:China launches new Long March-5B rocket for space station program】相关文章：

★ 欧元区危机：现实并不美好

★ 欧洲年轻人就业前景不容乐观

★ FT社评：金正恩的危险野心

★ Lex专栏：中国经济放缓影响美国企业业绩

★ 复星医药香港交易首日表现堪忧

★ 现代人压力过大 睡梦中发短信电邮（双语）

★ 英女性热衷飞美国选择胎儿性别

★ 开罗发生去年革命以来最大冲突

★ Lex专栏：一切照旧的中资银行

★ 大小贾斯汀共享“恋爱秘籍”：冷静承诺