China launched the Zhongxing-10 communications satellite June 20 from its Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province, according to the state-run Xinhua news service.

The satellite, carried to orbit by a Long March 3B rocket, was built by the China Academy of Space Technology and is intended to replace the Zhongxing-5B satellite launched in 1998.

The launch, which occurred at 12:13 p.m. EDT, was China’s second this year.