The China Manned Space Agency on Wednesday said it had successfully launched the cargo spacecraft, Tianzhou-7. The craft's mission is to deliver supplies to the Tiangong space station.

The agency said the Tianzhou-7 blasted off on board a Long March-7 Y8 rocket at 10.27pm from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in Hainan.

About 10 minutes later, it separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit, with its solar panels unfolding.

Later, the cargo craft will rendezvous and dock with the space station. (Additional reporting from Xinhua)