China launches navigation satellite

China on Sunday launched its eighth satellite orbiter as part of its navigation and positioning network, state media reported.

A Long March-3A carrier rocket carrying the "Beidou," or Compass, navigation satellite took off before dawn from the Xichang satellite launch centre in southwest Sichuan province, the China Daily's website reported.

The satellite launch will establish a basic navigation and positioning network system, a launch centre official said.

China will launch more satellites within two years to complete an Asia-Pacific regional network to provide services for mapping, fishery, transportation, meteorology and telecommunication industries, the official said.

The network is expected to provide global services by 2020, the report said.