This Day, That Year

Item from April 19, 1984, in China Daily: Television viewers last night saw pictures beamed via China's new experimental communications satellite, which was successfully guided into its permanent orbit over the Pacific. ....

The new satellite is widely regarded as a victory for the nation's policy of independence and self-reliance. It is the 15th satellite launched by China since 1970.

Since the country successfully sent its first satellite, Dongfanghong-1, into orbit in 1970, China has made big leaps in space exploration. Currently 16 communications satellites are operated by the country.