China launched a communications satellite, "Zhongxing-11", at 0:06 amThursday (Beijing time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Southwest China's Sichuanprovince.

"Zhongxing-11" will be mainly used in providing commercial communications services for usersin the Asia-Pacific region, according to a statement from the center.

The satellite was sent by a Long March-3B rocket into the preset orbit, the statement said.

It marked the 176th launch of China's Long March series of rockets. (Xinhua)