China has successfully launched the MisrSat-2 satellite at 12:10 BJ time from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Monday. The project is seen as a landmark achievement between China and Egypt under the Belt and Road Initiative. CGTN's Wu Lei witnessed the launch, and brings us more.

WU LEI Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center "What a historic moment! The Long March 2C rocket has just launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, carrying the MisrSat-2 Satellite into orbit. This satellite marks the first collaboration in remote sensing between Chinese and Egyptian scientists."

Later the satellite's solar panels started working in space, and the launch mission is declared a complete success. Scientists from China and Egypt have been co-designing and developing the satellite since the two countries officially signed a contract for the project in 2019.

SHERIF SEDKY CEO, Egyptian Space Agency "It's really a pleasure to see this mission successful and to start a new era for Egypt for using our own satellite for serving our sustainable development goals, so this is really a successful collaboration between China and Egypt, we are greatly happy with this collaboration and we are looking forward for more and more to come in the near future."

In addition to the satellite in orbit, Chinese and Egyptian scientists have also tested two prototype satellites at the newly built Assembly, Integration and Test Center in Egypt, with the help of China Aid.

GAO LYUHUA Deputy Director, Earth Observation System and Data Center, CNSA "Collaborating on this satellite project will further boost Egypt's satellite design, assembly and testing, ground control, data processing and sharing capabilities."

China has launched several satellites for African countries, including Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Sudan. The first overseas Beidou Navigation Center was built in Tunisia. During the project, Chinese scientists and engineers also trained Egyptian engineers in satellite design, development and testing, making Egypt the first African country with such capacity.

KONG DEJUN Director General, Agency for International Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce "This project is China's first free foreign aid satellite project and another landmark achievement between China and Egypt under the Belt and Road initiative."

Scientists believe this China-Egypt satellite project will further promote the development of space technology on the African continent. More cooperation on the international lunar research station project and human spaceflight missions between China and African countries, is also expected in the coming years. WL, CGTN, Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center.