BEIJING, Mar. 23 (China Space News) — The Chinese government has approved a motion to celebrate a National Day of Space Flight on April 24 every year starting from 2016, the media reported on Tuesday.

The year 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the beginning of China's spaceflight development.

On April 24, 1970, China launched its first man-made earth satellite, Dongfanghong-1, making China the fifth country then to launch a domestically produced satellite using domestically produced rockets.

The other four countries were Russia, the US, France and Japan.

In the 60 years, China has developed two bombs and one satellite project, mastered manned space flight, launched a lunar exploration project and generally achieved rapid growth in space technology.

The day is intended to celebrate China's aerospace achievements, its scientists and generate interest among youth.