BEIJING, Jan. 19 (China Space News) — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that China's launch of a Belarusian satellite is an important event and a result of years-long comprehensive and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

China sent a Belarusian telecom satellite into intended orbit from southwest China's Xichang Satellite Launch Center early Saturday.

Lukashenko said that the launch of the satellite has become a key element of the national satellite communication and broadcasting of Belarus.

The project is highly innovative, with great economic, social and political significance for Belarus, he added.

The Belarusian president noted that the long-awaited launch of the satellite clearly demonstrated the achievements of Chinese science and technology in the field of space exploration.