According to the Xunhua news agency, Huang Chunping, chief vehicle designer of the country's manned spaceflight program, said that goal was dependent on Beijing providing adequate funding and on holding successful project launches ahead of a moon launch.

"The goal to land an astronaut on the moon can surely be achieved in 15 years," Huang said.

A top Chinese space official said early last year that China's moon exploration program included a planned lunar fly-by in 2007, a soft landing in 2012 and the return of lunar samples by 2017.

Huang said that unexpected difficulties could affect the timetable, but he said he had "full confidence" on the development of the country's rocket industry.

/reuters.com/