Chinese astronauts practice manoeuvring in a water tank designed to simulate the low-gravity environment of space. [Xinhua]

One member of the crew is expected to become the first Chinese "taikonaut" to conduct a spacewalk - a mission in which the astronaut fully or partially leaves the spacecraft.

The vehicle will carry three astronauts. The spacecraft has been named Shenzhou VII, which means "divine vessel" in Mandarin.

"The Shenzhou VII manned space mission will be carried out at an appropriate time in October this year," the spokesman was quoted by the Xinhua News Agency as saying.

The members of the crew, as well as a back-up team, have been selected, but their names were not unveiled.

Chinese astronauts practice manoeuvring in a water tank designed to simulate the low-gravity environment of space. [Xinhua]

According to the mission plan, two of the astronauts will enter an airlock module of the spacecraft in order to make preparations for one of them to conduct the spacewalk.

The astronaut will carry out scientific experiments in space, the spokesman said.

The crew members have completed their basic training for space flight.

Further training will focus on skills specifically related to the spacewalk, or "extravehicular activity".

Ground tests have been completed and the spacecraft is ready for flight, he said.

The vehicle will launch from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, in Gansu province, according to earlier reports.

Completion of a successful spacewalk is a crucial step toward establishing a space laboratory or station, Qi Faren, former chief designer of the Shenzhou spacecraft series, told China Daily in March.

China has not announced a specific timetable for establishing a space station.

But according to Wang Yongzhi, former chief designer for the space program, they hope to build a space station by 2020. That would constitute the third and final phase of China's manned space program, he said.

In 2003, China became the third country to send an astronaut into orbit, following missions by the United States and the Soviet Union.

Last year, China launched its first lunar probe.