China will launch more than 30 satellites for domestic use from 2001-2005, during the country's Tenth Five Year Plan.
However demand would increase to around 200 by the year 2020, sources with China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (CASTC) said.
Nine satellites are currently on track to provide telecommunications, weather and scientific research services.
At an ongoing working conference of CASTC, Zhang Qingwei, general manager of the corporation, said a limited company was established last year with an estimated annual output of 8-10 small satellites.
Meanwhile, the corporation is gearing up to develop a new generation of high-powered, pollution-free carrier rockets to meet the increasing demand.
(People's Daily August 14, 2002)
