The China Great Wall Industry Corporation signed a commercial launch service contract on October 19 with Alenia Aerospazio, an Italian space navigation company.

　 The Italian company's telecommunications satellite will be launched with the Chinese-made Long-March-3A carrier rocket in the first half of 2001, according to the contract.

　 This is the first time China has signed a commercial launch service contract with Italy.

　 Long-March-3A is a three-stage rocket with a payload capability of 2.65 tons. Since its first launch in 1994, it has successfully launched a scientific experimental satellite and two telecommunications satellites.

　 Italy's Satelcom satellite is a 2.6-ton geo-stationary satellite with 28 Ku-band transponders, which will mainly provide broad-band multimedia service for Europe and America, a press release from Great Wall said.

　 China's cooperation with Europe in the field of space dates back to early 1970s. The launch of the Italian satellite is another space cooperation between the two sides since China successfully launched a satellite for Germany in July last year. (Xinhua)