中国为尼日利亚发射通讯卫星 (China Launches Satellite Into Space for Nigeria)

中国官方媒体说，中国航天局为尼日利亚成功发射了一颗通讯卫星。

新华社说，运载着这颗中国制造的卫星的火箭星期一午夜后从四川发射中心升空。

新华社说，这是中国首次为国外客户发射中国国产卫星。尼日利亚的这颗卫星将用来扩展中非地区手机和互联网服务。

新华社说，2004年，尼日利亚把这项价值3亿1千1百万美元的卫星项目交给中国。

这个通讯社说，迄今，中国已经把大约30颗外国卫星发送到太空。

Chinese state media say China's space agency has successfully launched a communications satellite into orbit for Nigeria.

The Xinhua News Agency says a rocket carrying the Chinese-made satellite lifted off from a launch center in Sichuan just after midnight today (Monday).

Xinhua says the launch marks the first time China has sent a domestically-produced satellite into space on behalf of a foreign buyer.

The news agency says Nigeria's (NIGCOMSAT-1) satellite will be used to expand mobile phone and Internet services in central Africa.

Xinhua says Nigeria awarded the satellite project to China in 2004 in a deal worth 311 million dollars.

The news agency says China has been commissioned to send about 30 foreign satellites into space.