BEIJING, Aug 23: China and Russia are planning a joint mission to Mars that will bring back samples to earth and land on one of the red planet’s tiny moons, state media quoted a Chinese scientist as saying on Wednesday.

Ye Peijian, of the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology, made the announcement at a forum on the nation’s space technology development, Xinhua news agency said.

Ye said Russia will launch the spacecraft in 2009 and it will carry China-made survey equipment.

The mission will collect samples on Mars and the planet’s nearest moon, according to Xinhua.

Sun Laiyan, of the China National Space Administration, said in June that China would focus on the moon and Mars in its deep space exploration programme over the next five years.

The programme calls for stepping up international cooperation, he said.—AFP