As China's space exploration program reaches new heights, scientists are already planning what to do next. With the far side of the moon now explored, what's next? CGTN's Liu Yang recaps an exciting start to the year.

History in the making once again for China. The first-ever soft landing and cruise exploration on the surface of the far side of the Moon has been registered. It coincides with the first-ever telemetry, track and command, or TT&C data transmission between earth and the moon's far side. The Chang'e 4 probe is equipped with 13 payloads, including 4 scientific payloads in cooperation with Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

LI GUOPING, SPOKESMAN SECRETARY GENERAL OF CHINA NATIONAL SPACE ADMINISTRATION "The international community has the opportunity to carry 10 kilograms on the orbiter and 10 kilograms on the lander. We also welcome the international community to use our magpie satellite relay to continue some of the scientific work on the far side of the moon."

Experts praise the innovation achieved in many aspects of the mission: namely the landing and cruise exploration. Also, the first ever laser-ranging technology experiment was carried out beyond the Earth-moon distance. Future plans are set to unfold soon.

WU YANHUA, DEPUTY CHIEF COMMANDER CHINA LUNAR EXPLORATION PROGRAM "For Chang'e-6, we plan to return to the South Pole of the moon for sampling. On the Chang'e-7 mission, we are going to conduct a comprehensive exploration of the moon's South Pole, which includes exploring its landform, material composition, and space environment. On Chang'e 8, we will conduct lunar surface tests of some key technologies."

Through the implementation of the lunar exploration program, China has established a set of comprehensive deep space exploration infrastructures, built a deep space network globally after the U.S. and Europe, and cultivated a team of high-quality professional talents. To industrialize the high-technologies, experts encourage participation from elsewhere.

WU YANHUA, DEPUTY CHIEF COMMANDER CHINA LUNAR EXPLORATION PROGRAM "We are in this lunar exploration project thanks to numerous cutting-edge high technologies. Therefore, social capital, especially private enterprises, is welcomed to further engage in the transformation and industrialization of these technologies to serve people all over the world."

LIU YANG BEIJING "Experts say all the major parts of the Chang'e 4 system, including its lander, rover and the relay satellite, were designed and made in China. The first two phases are complete, and the next step is to launch the Chang'e-5 probe to collect 2 kg worth of samples and bring them back to earth. Liu Yang CGTN Beijing."