Published: 10:21, May 30, 2023 | Updated: 11:43, May 30, 2023
A mission with purpose
By Xinhua

China's Shenzhou XVI, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 9:31 am (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The Shenzhou XVI manned spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The Shenzhou XVI manned spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

The Shenzhou XVI manned spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Before the launch, a see-off ceremony for three Chinese astronauts of the Shenzhou XVI crewed space mission was held at the launch center.

A see-off ceremony for three Chinese astronauts of the Shenzhou XVI crewed space mission is held at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng (center), Zhu Yangzhu (right) and Gui Haichao attend a see-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng (center), Zhu Yangzhu (right) and Gui Haichao attend a see-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng (right), Zhu Yangzhu (center) and Gui Haichao attend a see-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng (center), Zhu Yangzhu (right) and Gui Haichao attend a see-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng attends a see-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Chinese astronauts Jing Haipeng (front), Zhu Yangzhu (right) and Gui Haichao attend a see-off ceremony at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China May 30, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)