The country's third manned spaceship, set for an October launch, reached Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province Thursday.

The spacecraft, Shenzhou VII, was flown from Beijing, marking the start of the latest mission.

Media reports said a crew of six astronauts had been chosen for the mission, three of who will fly with spaceship.

Experts have already conducted two rounds of tests on more than 5,000 pieces of equipment at the launch center to ensure a safe and smooth launch.

(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2008)