DHAKA: A Chinese rocket launched Bolivia’s first telecommunications satellite early on Saturday with the president of the South American country declaring it a success.

The Long March-3B carrier rocket blasted off from the Xichang satellite launch centre in China’s south-western Sichuan province at 12:42am, television images showed, reports The Straits Times.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported that China had ‘successfully’ sent the satellite ‘into orbit’.

‘I’m very happy, satisfied and moved by the successful launch’ of satellite Tupac Katari, said Bolivian president Evo Morales, who travelled to China for the mission.

BDST: 1559 HRS, DEC 21, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor