China sent a new test satellite for communication technology into space, reports Xinhua news agency.

The satellite was launched by a Long March-3B rocket at 1:17am (Beijing Time) from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in the southwestern Sichuan Province on Monday.

It has entered the planned orbit, marking the success of the launch, according to the launch center.

The satellite will be mainly used to carry out multi-band and high-speed communication technology validation, said the center.

This launch was the 562nd mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.