BEIJING, April 2 (China Space News) -- China is preparing to launch a communications satellite, Palapa-N1, for Indonesia at the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The satellite was developed under a contract signed between the China Great Wall Industry Corp. under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC) and the Palapa Satelit Nusantara Sejahtera of Indonesia in May 2017.

Palapa-N1 was built on an enhanced Dongfanghong-4 platform developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), and will be launched by a Long March-3B carrier rocket developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology.

The satellite will provide communications and broadcasting services to Indonesia and other countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

The development team is making efforts to carry out the mission amid the coronavirus pandemic.