China is to launch a new communications satellite, Zhongxing-9, with a Long March-3B rocket carrier on Monday at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Both the satellite and carrier were in good conditions, and preparation was going on smoothly, sources from the center said.

Zhongxing-9, a satellite ordered by China Satcom from the France-based Thales Alenia Space (TAS), will be used for television live broadcast.

(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2008)