THIS is the shocking moment a Chinese rocket explodes after take-off as Xi Jinping races to keep pace with SpaceX and Elon Musk. Alarming footage shows the Long March 7A rocket erupting into flames just 85 seconds after lift-off from the Wenchang space launch site in Hainan on Monday. The setback comes as Beijing pours billions into its ambitious space programme as Xi Jinping seeks to establish China as a global space superpower. AdvertisementBlaine Curcio, founder of Orbital Gateway Consulting, described the accident as “not a great development” for the Long March 7A programme. The failure comes at a crucial time for China’s space programme, with Beijing preparing for its ambitious Chang’e-7 lunar mission at Wenchang.