The Zhongxing-22A satellite was sent into space aboard a Long March 3A rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in northwest China shortly after midnight, Xinhua news agency reported.

The communications satellite successfully entered orbit 25 minutes after the launch, it said.

The satellite was designed by the Chinese Academy of Space Technology and owned by a company under the state-owned China Telecommunications Satellite Group Company, Xinhua said.

A communications satellite mainly supports telecommunications services but is also used for mobile applications such as communications to ships and planes.

On Saturday last week, China launched a satellite carrying fruit and vegetables -- a project that will enable scientists to try to cultivate high-yield and high-quality plants.

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