China plans to launch one more maritime satellite in 2009, an official said on Sunday.

The project to research and manufacture "Ocean II" maritime satellite was approved by the government in January and the satellite is scheduled to be launched in 2009, said Sun Laiyan, vice-minister in charge of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.

The project is expected to boost the country's own maritime satellite system, Sun said.

China launched its first maritime satellite "Ocean IA" in May 2002, followed by "Ocean IB" five years later in April 2007.

"Ocean IB" now runs well and has sent back real time monitoring information, according to sources with China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp.

(Xinhua News Agency October 1, 2007)