China successfully sends Shenzhou-22 spaceship into orbit in first emergency launch mission

China successfully sent the unmanned Shenzhou-22 spaceship into orbit on Tuesday, marking the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F Y22 carrier rocket, blasted off at 12:11 (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, sending food, medicine, spare parts and other essential supplies to the Shenzhou-21 astronauts currently on board the Tiangong space station.

About 20 minutes after liftoff, the spaceship separated from the rocket and has now entered its designated orbit as it prepares for the docking procedure with the Tiangong space station.

The spaceship will perform a fast, automated rendezvous and dock with the front port of Tiangong's core module Tianhe in about 3.5 hours after entering orbit, according to the CMSA.

Tuesday's launch followed the postponed return of the Shenzhou-20 crew aboard the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft on Nov. 14. The Shenzhou-20 spacecraft was struck by space debris, delaying its return originally scheduled to take place on Nov 5, according to the agency.

China successfully sends Shenzhou-22 spaceship into orbit in first emergency launch mission

China successfully sends Shenzhou-22 spaceship into orbit in first emergency launch mission

China successfully sends Shenzhou-22 spaceship into orbit in first emergency launch mission

China successfully sends Shenzhou-22 spaceship into orbit in first emergency launch mission

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has described his visit to China as highly significant and productive, with the two sides holding in-depth talks on bilateral relations and all the pressing issues Iran currently faces.

Araghchi, who visited China on Wednesday and held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, said in an interview with Iranian state-run IRIB news agency that post-war Iran is entering a new phase of international cooperation.

"Our Chinese friends also believe that Iran after the war is different from Iran before the war, that it has proven its capabilities and strength. Therefore, a new phase of cooperation between Iran and other countries lies ahead," he said.

The foreign minister said the two sides reviewed a full range of current issues and yielded fruitful results.

"We reviewed all the current issues, matters related to the war and how to end it, the negotiations currently under way, issues related to Iran's nuclear program and the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear activities, matters related to sanctions, and all bilateral issues. The issue of the Strait of Hormuz, which was one of our serious topics, and the necessity of respecting the rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with all existing viewpoints, were also discussed," he said.

Iranian foreign minister hails fruitful China visit, says all pressing issues discussed

Iranian foreign minister hails fruitful China visit, says all pressing issues discussed