BEIJING, Apr. 30 (China Space News) —China marked its first national “Space Day” on Sunday, celebrating the country’s achievements in aerospace.

The day saw a range of events across the country, with key components of China’s space program, including launch facilities, research institutes, flight control centres and even tracking ships opened to the public for viewings and lectures.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese president Xi Jinping called on space scientists and engineers to "seize the strategic opportunity and keep innovating to make a greater contribution to the country's overall growth and the welfare of humankind."

The day of April 24 was chosen as it marks the day in 1970 when China successfully launched its first satellite, Dongfanghong-1.