China and Russia to cooperate on space program

China and Russia have now announced their plans to cooperate to launch a joint mission to Mars in 2009.

The two nations plan to scoop up rocks from the red planet and one of its moons.

Russian space agency would be taking care of launching the spacecraft while China will provide the survey equipment to carry out the unmanned exploration.

This announcement came after Sun Laiyan, head of the China National Space Administration said in a statement that the government is seeking international co-operation as it prepares to explore the moon and beyond.

They are already planning to launch its first lunar probe next year. China is only the third country after USA and Russia to launch a man into space aboard its own rocket.