China launched a new communication satellite "APSTAR-6C" at 12:06 a.m. Friday at the southwestern Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

本周五凌晨12点06分，中国在西昌卫星发射中心发射一枚“亚太6C”通信卫星。

The satellite, developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), was sent into orbit by the Long March-3B carrier rocket. This was the 273rd mission of the Long March rocket series.

The user of the satellite is Hong Kong-based APT Satellite Co., Ltd. The satellite will provide TV transmission, communication, Internet and multimedia services to customers across the Asia-Pacific region.

It is the second communication satellite developed by CAST for APT Satellite, following the APSTAR-9, which went into orbit on Oct. 17, 2015.

The APSTAR-6C, based on China's DFH-4 satellite platform, will replace APT Satellite's sin-orbit APSTAR-6 satellite.

China has developed 15 communication satellites based on the DFH-4 satellite platform for civilian and commercial use, according to CAST.