The three-member crew of the Shenzhou-20 spacecraft will return to Earth on Wednesday.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Shenzhou-20 crew has completed its in-orbit handover with the Shenzhou-21 crew, and a handover ceremony was held.

The three astronauts on board Shenzhou-20 – Chen Dong, Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie – have completed all their planned tasks and will return to the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia, Xinhua added.

The China Manned Space Agency said preparations were being held at the landing site and all supporting systems for the trio's return.

The Shenzhou-20 crew has been in orbit for the past six months.

The Shenzhou-21 spacecraft blasted off last Friday.