China's successful launch of two satellites on Tuesday indicates the country is on a par with the world's advanced level in terms of rocket technology and aerospace management, according to an aerospace expert.

China's Long March IV B carried the second Earth resources satellite developed jointly by China and Brazil and another China-made small satellite into different preset orbits.

Zhang Qingwei, general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp., said it was China's 30th consecutive success in launching the Long March rocket series since October 1996.

With 103,000 employees, the aerospace corporation is the manufacturer of China's Long March launch vehicles, including the Long March II F rocket that put China's first manned spacecraft inspace.

Zhang, also deputy commander of China's Manned Spaceflight Program, said stringent management contributed to the consecutive launch successes over the past seven years.

The three-stage Long March IV B carrier rocket has a diameter of 3.35 meters with a lift-off mass of 250 tons.

(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2003)