BEIJING -- The successful launch of China's first lunar probe is the great effort on space exploration of the international community, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Thursday.

Liu told a regular press conference that the outer space is the common wealth of mankind, which should be utilized entirely for peace purposes and benefit mankind to the utmost extend.

"We believe that with the cooperation and efforts of the international community, mankind can have a clearer and better understanding of the outer space," said Liu.

China launched its first lunar probe Chang'e I on Wednesday, the first step of its ambitious three-stage moon mission, marking a new milestone in the country's history of space exploration.