A second phase of construction began at a commercial spacecraft launch site in China's southern island province of Hainan on Saturday, with two launch pads designed for liquid propellant rockets set to be added.

Phase two will cover a total area of over 133 hectares on the coast of suburban Wenchang City, according to Hainan International Commercial Aerospace, the launch site's operator.

In addition to the two launch pads and their supporting systems, such as a propellant fueling system and a gas supply system, the second phase will also include a commercial aerospace command and control center, a rocket assembly and testing building, and a tracking, telemetry and command station.

According to the operator, the second phase will enhance the comprehensive launch capabilities of the site, meet the growing demand for commercial space launches in China, and boost Hainan's efforts to build an innovative industrial cluster for the commercial space sector.

Phase one of the launch site, which included two launch pads, was completed in 878 days and its first launch mission was on November 30, 2024. 

(With input from Xinhua)