China plans to launch three satellites in 2004, while starting its lunar landing program and working for technological breakthroughs in space docking and walking, a senior space official said in Beijing Wednesday.  

Sun Laiyan, deputy director of the China National Space Administration, said the three satellites included the second of the country's "Double Star Program," a bid to probe the space environment, a meteorological satellite, and a commercial communications satellite.

The total investment in space projects for 2004 is estimated at 2 billion yuan (about US$243 million), the official said.

He explained that the figure did not include the money the government will use to pay space sector employees.

China and Brazil would work on two more resources satellites, and a multi-purpose small satellite is to be launched in 2005 or 2006, he added.

The small satellite mainly for scientific research and disaster monitoring was a project between China, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Iran, Bangladesh and other Asian countries, Sun said.

China has launched without a hitch six satellites and a manned spacecraft in 2003.

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2004)