JIUQUAN - China launched the Shenzhou Shenzhou XXII spaceship from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China at 12:11 pm (Beijing Time) on Tuesday, successfully accomplishing the first emergency launch mission in the country's manned space program.

About 10 minutes after the launch, the spaceship separated from the rocket and entered its designated orbit. The China Manned Space Agency declared the launch mission a complete success.

The spaceship, flying without a crew aboard, carried a cargo of space food, medical supplies, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as devices for treating the cracked window on the Shenzhou XX spaceship.

Shenzhou XXII autonomously executed a fast-track rendezvous and later docked successfully with the space station complex.

The new spaceship will later serve as the return vessel for the three Shenzhou XXI astronauts currently in orbit.

The return mission of sending the three Shenzhou XX astronauts back to Earth, initially scheduled on Nov 5 by the Shenzhou XX spaceship, was delayed following a suspected debris impact.

The Long March-2F Y22 rocket and the Shenzhou XXII spaceship -- already on standby at the launch site -- were swiftly brought to launch readiness, initiating a 16-day emergency launch sequence.