China plans to launch the Tianwen-3 mission around 2028 and take Mars samples back to Earth, according to Liu Jizhong, chief designer of the mission.

Liu made the announcement on Thursday during the second International Deep Space Exploration Conference – also known as the Tiandu Forum – held in Huangshan City, east China's Anhui Province.

Like China's previous sampling missions, the Tianwen-3 mission will also involve collecting samples on the Martian surface, taking off from the red planet, and rendezvousing and docking on the Mars orbit.

The primary scientific goal of the mission will be searching for signs of life, CGTN has learned.

Liu also highlighted international cooperation for the Tianwen-3 mission, which will involve international payload, sample and data sharing, and joint planning for future missions. These collaborative initiatives are expected to enhance global synergy in the realm of deep space exploration.

Currently, China has approved four missions for planetary exploration, set to be completed in 10 to 15 years. The first Mars exploration mission, Tianwen-1, has achieved complete success. Tianwen-2, scheduled for launch around 2025, is designed to sample a near-Earth asteroid. Additionally, Tianwen-4, set for launch around 2030, is planned to explore the Jupiter.

(Liu Yuyao and Gong Zhe contributed to the story.)