China is to launch a commercial satellite for Nigeria, visiting Xu Dazhe, deputy general manager of China Aerospace Science and Technology Ltd., said Monday.

He made the remarks while answering a question on whether China will cooperate with developing countries in the peaceful use of space technology while attending a meeting between the Delegation of Shenzhou VI Manned Space Mission and Hong Kong university students at Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Xu said China will also cooperate with Venezuela in the same field.

China has launched a foreign satellite this year and signed cooperative contracts on launching several foreign satellites, said Xu at a press conference in Beijing in October.

He said China is interested in launching international commercial satellites and other operations for the peaceful use of outer space.

He said China has been making endeavors in the peaceful use of outer space. China has already launched Asiasat2 telecommunications satellites for some other countries.

The successful Shenzhou VI mission marks the 88th launch by China's Long March series rockets and the 46th consecutive successful blastoffs.

The delegation, including taikonauts Fei Junlong, Nie Haishengand leading engineers for the Shenzhou VI manned space mission, arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday for a three-day visit.

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2005)