China will launch the Tiangong II space laboratory on Thursday night, paving the way for a Chinese manned space station, Deputy Director Wu Ping of the China Manned Space Agency said on Wednesday.

Wu, also spokeswoman for the agency, told reporters at a news conference in the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center that a Long March 2F carrier rocket was being fueled and would lift the Tiangong II from the Jiuquan center on 10:04 pm Thursday.

"By now, all of the mission's elements have completed their preparations and rehearsals," she said.