China is emerging as a big economic player, but more importantly, it is taking leaps and bounds in the field of space exploration. On Monday, it took a big step in that direction by achieving its first manned space docking. This would give as big boost to the country’s ambition to launch a space station of its own by 2020.

In a path breaking mission, Chinese space agency was able to dock Shenzhou-9 spacecraft with China's Tiangong-1 space laboratory. The spacecraft was carrying three astronauts, which included first women from China to go to outer space. It was a big achievement for Liu Yang who became the first Chinese women to go in to outer space.

This achievement comes after many years, as the last time China sent any astronaut in space was in 2008. Since then, the space agency of China has kept a low profile, and only in November last year, it took a big step by maneuvering perfectly the first unmanned space docking. The next decade is very crucial for China, as it is looking to launch its first space station, which is known as Project 921. With most developed countries now pulling their hand away from further space exploration, China is looking ahead.