Beijing, July 5 (PTI): China today successfully launched a French-made broadcasting satellite to improve transmission of radio and TV broadcast across the vast nation, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Oceania.

The "Chinasat 6B" was launched with an indigenous Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China's Sichuan Province at 8:08 pm (5:38 pm IST).

The satellite separated from the rocket 26 minutes after lift-off, entering its preset orbit, space officials said.

"Chinasat 6B", manufactured by France's Alcatel Alenia Space, has a designed lifespan of 15 years.

Fitted with 38 transponders, the satellite is expected to improve telecommunications transmission for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania, Xinhua news agency reported.

China on June 1 launched "SinoSat-3", a communications satellite for radio and television broadcasting, with a Long March-3A carrier rocket, the 100th flight of the 'Long March' series.

The mission was the 101st launch by a Long March rocket carrier.