The Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center held a see-off ceremony for China's first female astronaut and two male crew mates, due to board the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft, on Saturday afternoon.

The spacecraft, which is expected to fulfill the country's first manned space docking mission, is set to blast off at 6:37 pm Saturday.

The ceremony was held in the launch center sitting in the Gobi Desert of northwest China.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, attended the ceremony to see off the astronauts.

"I wish you a full success," he said.

"The country and the people are looking forwards for your successful return," he said.

"Comrade Commander-in-chief, we will bear the first manned space docking mission as ordered. All preparations are done. On your command," reported Jing, commander of the mission, to Chang Wanquan, commander-in-chief of the country's manned space mission.

"Proceed!" Chang said.

Boarding a ground vehicle, the astronauts will arrive the launch pad in next ten minutes.

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