All the key technical issues for the satellite have been resolved and design and production work has started, said the report.

The satellite, jointly developed by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, is China's third generation communications satellite.

Compared with former models, the Dongfanghong-IV has much more power and capacity, and a longer lifespan of up to 15 years.

The satellite will mainly be involved in communications and television broadcasting.

China has also made great progress in manufacturing and establishing its most sophisticated satellite platform, also called Dongfanghong-IV. The country is one of a select number in the world that can produce large-scale communication satellites and their platforms.

At the same time, work on the Sinosat-II satellite, which will be the first to use the platform, is on track.

The Sinosat-II, which is started by a Beijing-based operator, Sino Satellite Communications Co, and Chinese Academy of Space Technology in May, 2002, is expected to be finished by the end of 2004 and will be sent into space in early 2005.

(People's Daily July 3, 2003)