China's new geo-stationary meteorological satellite, Fengyun-2E, finished in-orbit testing at the end of February, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) said Monday.

"Fengyun-2E demonstrated stable operation and successfully performed all its functions, including image capture and broadcast, data collection and space environment monitoring," said CMA official Zhao Licheng.

Fengyun-2E would replace Fengyun-2C, which was due for retirement, said Zhao.

The satellite, designed to monitor weather and natural disasters, was launched on Dec. 23 last year on a Long March-3A carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwestern Sichuan Province.

The 1,390-kg craft was developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, affiliated with the China Aerospace Science and Technology.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2009)