Thirty-five application satellites are scheduled to be developed and launched in the next five years in China, announced a vice general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Thursday at the on-going China Western Forum.

Hu Hongfu told the press that these satellites will be mainly used for economic development including those for live-broadcasts, telecommunications, meteorology, resources, navigation, marine services, and disaster-relief.

The vice general manager said that development of these satellites will play an active role in the country's ambitious economic plan and that of the western region in particular.

He said the project for a direct-broadcast television satellite has already started and is to be launched in 2004. "It can provide transmission service for high-quality TV programs, education and information."

Meanwhile, the launch of a seed breeding satellite in 2003 will cultivate suitable seeds for the western climate and help the agricultural advancement there, he added.

The corporation has developed five types of satellites such as remote-sensing return satellites, Dongfanghong broadcasting satellites and Fengyun meteorological satellites.

（Eastday 09/07/2001）