China ”will push forward human spaceflight projects and make new technological breakthroughs”, the report said.
It plans to develop next-generation rockets, new types of satellites and carry out deep-space exploration.
In the long term, China is working towards building a space station and putting a person on the moon.
The white paper also summarised China’s space activities since 2006 and spelt out policies for international co-operation, in a move that appeared aimed at allaying concern over its space ambitions.
”China will work together with the international community to maintain a peaceful and clean outer space and endeavour to make new contributions to the lofty cause of promoting world peace and development,” said the report.
It lists collaborations with countries such as Russia, Brazil, France and Britain. China will also ”continue to make dialogue regarding the space field” with the US, following a NASA delegation visit in October.
China views its space programme as a key part of its national development and international growth.
Officials have indicated that at least one of the two next Shenzhou missions would be manned and that 2012 might even see the country’s first female astronaut.
China will also launch orbiters to survey the moon, land on it and obtain samples that can be studied.
Ultimately, it wants to put a person on the moon. In the next five years, the report said, China will ”conduct studies on the preliminary plan for a human lunar landing”.