China will add three new satellites to its current contingent next year to improve its environment and disaster monitoring and forecasting capabilities, revealed Zhang Qingwei, general manager of the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp., on Wednesday.

"In two or three years, our array will be made up of seven satellites to assist us in monitoring, predicting and assessing ecological damage, pollution and disasters in all types of weather and over a large area," said Zhang, who is also chairman of the Chinese Society of Astronautics.

"China is now able to move beyond trial satellite research and development applications and look at concrete missions," said Zhang.

Between 2006 and 2010, China will set up an array of between 60 to 70 satellites to facilitate the country's economic and social development. In the same time, around 100 satellites will be developed for a range of purposes, from communications and broadcasting, to earth resources as well as meteorological and navigation satellites.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2007)