China's new meteorological satellite starts operating

BEIJING: China's new meteorological satellite, launched last December, today commenced operations after four months of testing.

The satellite was transferred from the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence ( SASTIND) to the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

The new satellite "Fengyun-II G" will improve China's weather monitoring and early warning for natural disasters such as typhoons, rainstorms, sandstorms and forest fires, said a SASTIND statement.

Compared with previous Fengyun-II satellites, the latest has higher accuracy, a shorter observation interval and a longer life, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Fengyun-II G brings the total of Fengyun-II satellites in the sky to four.

China's meteorological satellites, both in geostationary orbit and polar orbit, are part of the global network of the World Meteorological Organization and serve many countries.