China strengthened its Earth observation capabilities today with the successful launch of the Fengyun-4 03 meteorological satellite from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. The Long March-3B carrier rocket blasted off at 12:07 a.m. local time on December 27, 2025, marking the 621st flight mission for China's landmark rocket series.
The newly deployed satellite will enhance weather forecasting precision across Asia through advanced atmospheric temperature detection and cloud monitoring systems. This launch comes as the Chinese mainland intensifies efforts to improve disaster early warning capabilities, particularly for typhoon prediction and flood monitoring in coastal regions.
"This achievement demonstrates our commitment to space-based environmental monitoring," stated a spokesperson from the China Meteorological Administration. The Fengyun series now provides critical data to 115 countries and regions through the World Meteorological Organization's information-sharing system.
The launch follows recent investments in China's space infrastructure, with the National Space Administration planning additional Earth observation satellites through 2026. This development holds particular significance for agricultural planning and climate research across Southeast Asia.
