China will launch a new satellite for television broadcasting, mobile communications and other services in late October this year, Sun Laiyan, administrator of the China National Space Administration said in Beijing Tuesday.

The satellite, known as "Xinnuo 2", was given the green light to leave the factory Monday after passing final checks by the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense.

A Long March 3B carrier rocket to be used to launch the satellite also passed final checks on Monday.

"Xinnuo 2" is China's first large-capacity communications satellite, according to experts from the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology.

The satellite will provide live television broadcasting services to the Chinese mainland, as well as Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. It is designed to have a lifespan of 15 years.

"Xinnuo 2", which has taken China six years to develop, marks a breakthrough in China's development of a new generation of large-capacity static orbit satellites, said Sun Laiyan.

China achieved several important technology breakthroughs through independent research during the development of the satellite and holds intellectual property rights over these technologies, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2006)