Research and development of China's new generation of carrier rockets, Long March V, were going according to plan, and expected to catch up with the U.S. Delta-4H rockets in payload capacity, a Chinese expert told Xinhua Thursday.

With a maximum low Earth-orbit payload capacity of 25 tonnes and high Earth-orbit payload capacity of 14 tonnes, Long March V rockets would reach the world top level in payload capacity and reliability, said Liang Xiaohong, Party chief of the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

Long March V rockets are designed for missions following the country's manned space program and lunar exploration program, said Liang, also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

When put into service, "The Long March V would be able to satisfy China's need in its space technology development and the peaceful use of space resources in the coming 30 to 50 years," Liang said.