Senior Chinese experts gave detailed plans for the country's deep space exploration and the construction of the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) on Tuesday. 

Wu Yanhua, chief designer of China's priority program on Deep Space Exploration, revealed the country's tasks on the fourth phase of lunar exploration, the building of the ILRS and the Queqiao (Magpie Bridge) satellite constellation 

Wu made the remarks at the first International Deep Space Exploration Conference held in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province on Tuesday.

He said that China will launch the Queqiao-2 (Magpie Bridge-2) relay satellite and the Chang'e-6 probe in 2024 to retrieve lunar sample, and launch Chang'e-7 around 2026 for lunar south pole resource exploration.

The Chang'e-8, along with Chang'e-7, will be launched around 2028 to construct a basic model of theILRS, according to the expert.

Wu added that China plans to launch the Tianwen-2 probe around 2025.

The country will promote the construction of the ILRS, the China-Gulf Cooperation Council joint center for lunar and deep space exploration and other institution, and deepen international cooperation, Wu said.

The International Lunar Research Station

Another expert, Wu Weiren, chief designer of China's Lunar Exploration Program, gave a clear outline for the construction of the ILRS.

Wu said that the research station would be jointly built by China and multiple countries. Being a comprehensive scientific experimental facility, the research station will operate autonomously for a long time on the moon's surface and orbit, with short-term human participation, he added.

He said the research station will provide energy supply, central control, communication and navigation, round-trip between Earth and moon, lunar scientific exploration and ground support.

It would help to carry out interdisciplinary, multi-objective, large-scale scientific and technological activities, such as scientific exploration research, resource development and utilization, he said.

Wu added that the research station is set to undergo improvements by 2024. After that the station would further upgrade to a lunar base that is "practical and multi-functional."

The China National Space Administration and the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization also signed a joint statement on cooperation of the ILRS on Tuesday.

(CGTN's Liu Tianwen also contributed to the story.)