The Shenzhou XX crewed spaceship, atop a Long March 2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China, April 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

　　BEIJING -- China launched the Shenzhou XX crewed spaceship Thursday, continuing efforts to advance space technology for all humanity — a vision long championed by President Xi Jinping.

　　Over the past years, Xi has addressed the importance of international cooperation in peaceful space exploration and development on multiple occasions.

　　During the meeting with the Shenzhou XII astronauts in 2021, Xi said that progress in space science and technology will benefit people around the world, and China wants to use space exploration achievements to create a better future for mankind.

　　When meeting representatives of the Chang'e 5 mission in 2021, Xi stressed actively conducting international cooperation and making more contributions to humanity's well-being.

　　According to the China Manned Space Agency, China is in discussions with other nations regarding potential foreign astronaut participation in the country's future space station missions.

　　China welcomes international applications for acquiring lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e 5 and Chang'e 6 probes for scientific research. Scientists from various countries have taken part in researching the Chang'e 5 lunar samples.

　　Moreover, Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 lunar probes to be launched in the next three years will offer international payload capacity, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

　　China has also signed cooperation agreements with 17 countries and international organizations on the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) construction, offering various levels and forms of collaboration opportunities.