Developments in space plans announced

Future includes a station near moon's south pole and astronauts on surface

China aims to place a scientific research station near the moon's south pole in about 10 years, as well as conduct other exploration missions using astronauts on the lunar surface, a senior space official said on Wednesday.

Zhang Kejian, head of the China National Space Administration, made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the 4th China Space Day in Changsha, Hunan province. He did not elaborate on the plans.