Chinese astronauts return to Earth after six-month mission

Ground crew were on hand to check on the astronauts inside the re-entry capsule after it landed successfully in northern China (Li Gang/Xinhua via AP)

Three Chinese astronauts have landed back on Earth after spending six months working to complete construction of the Tiangong station, state TV has reported.

A capsule carrying commander Chen Dong and astronauts Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe touched down at a landing site in the Gobi Desert in northern China at approximately 12.10pm, China Central Television said.