China plans fourth satellite launch site - Xinhua

BEIJING, Feb 6 (Reuters) China plans to build its fourth satellite launch centre on the country's southern island of Hainan, the official Xinhua news agency today said.

The new site would be built at Wenchang, around 60 km from the Hainan provincial capital of Haikou, it cited Luo Baoming, acting governor of the island as saying.

China began conducting a feasibility study on the new satellite launch site in 2002 and concrete plans for its creation would soon emerge, Luo said.

Chinese satellites are currently put into orbit from launch centres in southwestern Sichuan province, northwestern Gansu province and Shanxi province in the north of the country, according to Xinhua.

The country launched its first satellite in 1970 which orbited the earth blaring the Cultural Revolution anthem, ''The East is Red''.

Since then, analysts estimate it has launched at least 50 satellites. State media said last month that China would launch two satellites this year dedicated to broadcasting television and radio coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

China stirred international controversy on January 11 by shooting down one of its own satellites in space, a move which fuelled fears of escalating military rivalry.

REUTERS SY PM2010