China holds a press conference on the launch of its manned Shenzhou-13 spacecraft at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The Shenzhou-13 will carry three Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, to the space station and stay there for half a year before returning.

The rocket carrying China's Shenzhou-13 spacecraft was transferred to the launchpad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on October 7, as preparations gathered pace for the country's next manned mission to continue assembling a new space station.

Read more: Shenzhou-13: China ups preparation for new manned space mission