BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) -- China is preparing to launch a French-made broadcasting satellite, said sources with the National Space Administration here Wednesday, without giving an exact date for the blast-off.

    The satellite and the Chinese-made rocket carrier Long March 3B have been moved to the launch site at Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

    The mission is the 101st launch by a Long March rocket carrier.

    The Chinasat 6B satellite was manufactured by France's Alcatel Alenia Space and has a designed lifespan of 15 years.

    Fitted with 38 transponders, the satellite is expected to improve signal transmission for radio and TV stations across China, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and Oceania.