An engine of Long March 5 carrier rocket is shown at the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing, on Sept 17, 2016. [Photo/IC]

China's heavy-lift Long March 5 carrier rocket has been transported to the Wenchang Space Launch Center on the island province of Hainan to prepare for its debut flight, according to the nation's space authority.

The rocket, the nation's strongest and most technologically advanced launch vehicle, is scheduled to make its first flight around the end of the year and will enable China to put its future manned space station into orbit and send unmanned probes to Mars, the authority said.