China launched a new satellite for disaster reduction, emergency management, and environment monitoring from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province early Thursday.

A Long March-2C rocket carrying the Huanjing-2 (05) satellite lifted off at 6:53 a.m. (Beijing Time).

The satellite will support disaster prevention, reduction, relief, and environmental protection. It will also serve natural resources, water conservancy, agriculture, forestry, earthquakes, and other fields.

Thursday's launch was the 443rd mission by the Long March rocket series.