China has begun construction of its first low-latitude space satellite launch center. The new center is in Wenchang city of the tropical island province of Hainan.

The launch center is situated 19 degrees north of the equator, enabling China to do more international commercial launches. It will be able to launch rockets over clear sea for up to a-thousand kilometers. The height will avoid the danger of burning wreckage falling into residential areas.

The center will be mainly used for launching synchronous, heavy, and deep space probe satellites, and space stations. It's designed to handle up to a dozen launches a year. Completion is scheduled for 2013.

(CCTV September 15, 2009)