China plans to launch three small satellites for environment and disaster monitoring and forecasting next year, said Zhang Qingwei, general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp., on Wednesday.

"In two or three years the constellation will comprise seven satellites in order to better monitor, predict and assess ecological damage, pollution and disaster in all weather and over a large area", said Zhang, who is also chairman of the Chinese Society of Astronautics.

"This will help China improve its capabilities in reducing disasters and protecting the environment", he added.

"China is shifting (the purpose of) its satellite research and development work from trial applications to mission services", said Zhang.

In the 2006-2010 period, China will establish a spatial information system composed of 60 to 70 satellites to facilitate the country's economic and social development.

Nearly 100 satellites will be developed in the five-year period, including communications and broadcasting satellites, earth resources satellites, recoverable satellites, meteorological satellites and navigation satellites.

Source: Xinhua