China plans missions to moon's south pole

This image released by China National Space Administration on Dec 4, 2020 shows China's national flag unfurled from the Chang'e-5 probe on the moon. The image was taken by a panoramic camera installed on the lander-ascender combination of the probe, before the ascender blasted off from the moon with lunar samples. - CNSA / HANDOUT VIA Xinhua

BEIJING (China Daily/Asia News Network): China has approved the fourth phase of its lunar exploration programme, including a basic model of a research station built on the moon over the coming decade, according to the China National Space Administration.

Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the administration, said China would carry out lunar exploration in the future Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7 and Chang'e-8 missions.