The author briefly sums up the evolution history and development trend of lunar exploration and considers the general objectives of modern lunar exploration as following in this paper: (1) Researches on the origin and evolution of the Moon and the system of the EarthMoon, especially the disappearance of lunar atmosphere and magnetic field, distribution and formation environment of lunar minerals and rocks, formation of lunar regolith and the inner structure of the Moon as well as the evolution history of the Moon; (2) Exploration of lunar resource, energy and special environment as well as its supporting capacity for social sustainable development on the Earth. Based on the above analyses, the Chinese lunar exploration project is established and includes three steps. The first step of Chinese lunar exploration project will start with remote sensing detecting on the satellite around the moon. The main scientific objectives of the first project include acquirement of three dimensional atlas of the moon' s surface, the global distribution and abundance of the abundant usable 14 elements and the thickness of the lunar regolith and estimation of He-3 reservoir as well as the effect of solar activity on the space environment near the moon. The second project will send soft landing detector and the lunar rover. Its main objectives is the geological、geochemical and geophysical exploration of the landing area, and establishment of the astronomical observation. The main scientific objectives of the third project is to collect lunar specimens and return to the Earth.