According to PEI Zhaoyu, deputy director of the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the Chang’e-5 lunar probe will contain four parts: an orbiter, a returner, an ascender and a lander. The lander will put moon samples into a vessel in the ascender after the moon landing. Then the ascender will take off from the Moon to dock with the orbiter and the returner which orbit the moon, and transfer the samples to the returner. The orbiter and returner then head back to the earth, separating from each other several thousands off the earth. Finally, the returner will make its way back to the earth.

CAS news release, April 25, 2018