BEIJING — China is making preliminary preparations for a manned lunar landing mission, said Yang Liwei, deputy director general of China Manned Space Agency, on June 6.

Chinese astronaut Wang Yaping (C) talks with children during an event on the 2017 Global Space Exploration Conference in Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2017. The conference opened on June 6 in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

It will not take long for the project to get official approval and funding, Yang said during a group interview at the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2017).

Johann-Dietrich Woerner, director general of the European Space Agency, makes a keynote speech during the 2017 Global Space Exploration Conference in Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2017. The conference opened on June 6 in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

When asked whether he has any plan to step onto the moon, Yang, China’s first astronaut, showed great excitement. “If I am given the opportunity, no problem!” he said.

US citizen former astronaut Buzz Aldrin (1st R, front) talks with attendants during the 2017 Global Space Exploration Conference in Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2017. The conference opened on June 6 in Beijing.[Photo/Xinhua]

Wu Yansheng, president of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), also said that China is working on a manned lunar landing plan.

Yang Liwei (2nd L, second row), China’s first astronaut and deputy director of China’s manned space program office, and US citizen former astronaut Buzz Aldrin (3rd L, second row) attend the opening ceremony of the 2017 Global Space Exploration Conference in Beijing, capital of China, June 6, 2017. The conference opened on June 6 in Beijing.[Photo/Xinhua]

The mission will consist of a manned spaceship, a propulsion vehicle and a lunar lander. The manned spaceship and the lunar lander will be sent into circumlunar orbit separately, according to Wu.