Beijing, Dec 2 (IANS): The landing of China's Chang'e-5 spacecraft on the near side of the moon is a historic event, Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos has said.

"For the space program of China, this event is undoubtedly historic," Deputy Director General of Roscosmos Sergei Savelyev said in a statement on Tuesday, after congratulating his Chinese colleagues on behalf of the corporation, Xinhua reported.

"The study of the natural satellite of the Earth is currently one of the priority areas of space activities in all countries, and Russia and China regularly discuss the development of cooperation between our countries in this area," he added.

The China National Space Administration announced earlier that the Chang'e-5 spacecraft successfully landed on the near side of the moon on Tuesday and sent back images.

On November 24, China launched the Chang'e-5 spacecraft, comprising an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a returner.