China has abruptly postponed the launch of its ambitious Chang'e-7 lunar mission. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
According to the Associated Press, the combination of the Chang'e-7 lunar probe and the Long March-5 Y14 carrier rocket was transferred vertically to the launching area at the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in southern China's Hainan Province on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026. This is shown in photos released by the Xinhua News Agency.
On Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, people were seen near models of space rockets in Haikou, Hainan province. Photos by AP photographer Ng Han Guan show a man silhouetted near an image of the launch platform and models of space rockets, and a woman carrying a child walking past models of space rockets.
No official reason has been given for the postponement. However, this is considered a significant step in China's lunar program. The Chang'e-7 mission is aimed at exploring the lunar south pole.
The Associated Press published this news on Aug. 23, 2026.