Thirty-five application  satellites are scheduled to be developed and launched in the next  five years in China, announced a vice general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), Thursday at  the on-going China Western Forum.

   Hu Hongfu told the press that these satellites will be mainly  used for economic development including those for live-broadcasts, telecommunications, meteorology, resources, navigation, marine  services, and disaster-relief.

   The vice general manager said that development of these  satellites will play an active role in the country's ambitious  economic plan and that of the western region in particular.

   He said the project for a direct-broadcast television satellite has already started and is to be launched in 2004. "It can provide transmission service for high-quality TV programs, education and  information."

   Meanwhile, the launch of a seed breeding satellite in 2003 will cultivate suitable seeds for the western climate and help the  agricultural advancement there, he added.

   The CASC has developed five types of satellites such as remote- sensing return satellites, Dongfanghong broadcasting satellites  and Fengyun meteorological satellites.