China has begun production of the rocket carrier for the launch of Shenzhou VII spaceship in 2008, a senior project official has announced.

Jing Muchun, chief designer of the launch vehicle system of China's Manned Space Program, told China Central Television that procurement and production of the parts for the rocket carrier had commenced.

Jing said better quality parts would be used for the rocket carrier and scientists would upgrade sections to improve its reliability.

They are also considering adding more cameras, he told a news program.

Under the manned space program, Chinese astronauts will conduct space walks and rendezvous in space during the second stage of the program starting with Shenzhou VII.

The targets for the second stage will be reached during the country's 11th Five-Year Guidelines period (2006-2011).

Two Chinese astronauts made a five-day space journey last October.

China's first astronaut, Yang Liwei, made a 21-hour orbital tour aboard Shenzhou V in October 2003, making China the third country after the United States and former Soviet Union to travel into space.

(Xinhua News Agency April 10, 2006)