China to build new space launch centre

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BEIJING, SEPT 23 (AP): China is planning to build a new satellite launch site - the country's fourth - to boost its burgeoning space programme, state media reported Sunday.
The facility will be located in Wenchang on the southern island province of Hainan, about 60 kilometres (38 miles) away from the provincial capital Haikou, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The site is close to the equator which makes it well suited for launches because lower latitudes have stronger centrifugal forces, reducing the amount of energy required to launch rockets, Xinhua said.
The plan has been approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, and the Central Military Commission, it said, without giving any details on construction or a completion date.
Telephones at the State Council and Wenchang government offices rang unanswered Sunday.