BEIJING, Feb. 2 (China Space News) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella congratulated each other Friday on the successful launch of a China-Italy cooperative electromagnetic satellite, known as Zhangheng 1 in Chinese.

In his message, Xi said that China and Italy have achieved major results in cooperation on the seismo-electromagnetic satellite project, a significant embodiment of China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership.

The achievements will greatly enhance the two countries' ability to monitor the Earth's electromagnetic environment using space technology, and will play an important role in earthquake alert and disaster prevention and alleviation, so as to facilitate the socio-economic development of the two countries.