China on Wednesday morning put a new communication satellite into orbit from the southwestern Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

The "ChinaSat 2C" satellite was launched at 12:25 a.m. and carried by the Long March-3B carrier rocket. It will provide radio, TV transmission and broadband services for the country's radio stations, TV stations, radio transmitting stations and cable networks.

The satellite was developed by the China Academy of Space Technology and is owned by China Satellite Communications Co., Ltd.

Wednesday's launch is the 216th mission of the Long March carrier rocket series developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.