Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Tuesday to observe the launch of the Shenzhou 10 manned spacecraft.

Xi came into the astronauts' apartment building on Tuesday afternoon to see off Nie Haisheng, Zhang Xiaoguang and Wang Yaping, who are scheduled to start their journey to space at 5:38 p.m..

Astronauts to board Shenzhou-10 spacecraft.

"On behalf of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council, the Central Military Commission, as well as people of all ethnic backgrounds across the country, I'm here to see you off," said Xi.

Shenzhou-10 will be China's fifth manned space mission. The president described the mission as both glorious and sacred. "You made Chinese people feel proud of ourselves," he said.

"You have trained and prepared yourselves carefully and thoroughly, so I am confident in your completing the mission successfully," he added.

"I wish you success and look forward to your triumphant return," Xi told the astronauts.