China will launch the "SinoSat-6" satellite for radio and television broadcasting from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province within the next few days, an official from the center said Friday.

The satellite will be carried on the Long March 3B rocket, the official said.

The launch will take place at a "proper time," the official added.

SinoSat-6 will serve as a substitute satellite for SinoSat-3, which was launched on June 1, 2007, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.

China launched the SinoSat-2 satellite on Oct. 29, 2006. Sino Satellite Communications Co. Ltd. (SinoSat), a Chinese satellite operator and the user of the SinoSat series, revealed a month after the launch it had failed to deploy its solar panels and communication antennae, deeming it inoperable.