China’s first moon rover has touched the lunar surface and left deep traces on its loose soil, state media reported, several hours after the country successfully carried out the world’s first soft landing of a space probe on the moon in nearly four decades.

China has safely carried out the world’s first soft landing of a space probe on the moon in nearly four decades, state media said.

China will attempt the world’s first soft landing of a rover on the moon in nearly four decades today, the latest step in the country’s ambitious space programme.