It's up up and away for the Chinese space industry as plans are made to develop a brand new carrier rocket.

The new launch vehicle will be designed with low pollution, high reliability and low cost as key characteristics.

An official with China National Space Administration says the design of the new rocket has been approved by an expert team.

The rocket, as yet unnamed, should be able to put payloads of up to 25 tons into low earth orbit.

(CRI April 27, 2004)