The Shenzhou-22 spaceship on Tuesday successfully docked with the Tiangong space station hours after launch, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the nation's space programme.

The China Manned Space Agency had declared the launch a complete success about 10 minutes after blast off at 12.11pm.

The unmanned vessel is carrying medical supplies, fresh fruit and vegetables as well as devices to mend the cracked window of the Shenzhou 20 spaceship, which experienced a suspected impact from space debris.

It will later serve as the return vessel for the three Shenzhou-21 astronauts currently in orbit. (Xinhua)