Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday watched the launch of the country's Shenzhou 10 manned spacecraft at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

After the rocket blasted off at 5:38 p.m., Xi came to the command hall, where he watched conditions of the spacecraft through images and parameters on the screen.

With the announcement of the launch's success, Xi voiced his congratulations, shaking hands with those participating in the program and sending his warm greetings to them.

Premier Li Keqiang and Liu Yunshan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, watched a live broadcast of the launch at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.