The combination of the Shenzhou-16 crewed spaceship and a Long March-2F carrier rocket is transferred to the launching area in Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, May 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING — China is developing a next-generation spaceship that features seating for up to seven people, the country's manned space agency revealed Thursday.

Roomier than the current three-seater spaceship, the new one will be able to carry more cargo supplies and more crew members, which will contribute to expanding the scale of manned spaceflights and opening up new areas, such as space tourism, said Zhou Jianping, the chief designer of China's manned space program, in an interview.

READ MORE: Reusable spacecraft returns after 276-day test

A new launch vehicle is also under development. According to Zhou, the new manned rocket is designed to have greater liftoff thrusts, reusable components and a larger area for payloads, becoming more cost-efficient than the previous generations.