BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- China Satellite Communications Corporation (China Satcom), Sino Satellite Communications Company Ltd. (Sinosat) and China Orient Telecommunications Satellite Company Ltd. (China Orient) announced the start of their joint-venture here on Tuesday.

    Named China Direct Broadcast Satellite Company (China DBSAT), it was founded last December to merge all satellite-related assets, businesses and professionals of the three companies into the country's sole satellite operation conglomerate.

    Currently, China DBSAT operated and managed four geo-stationary satellites. Another three were under construction and would be launched in succession to provide a wider array of more reliable services to clients in China and other Asia-Pacific countries and regions, said the company.

    China Satcom was one of the country's six major basic telecom operators. Headquartered in Beijing, its main businesses encompassed satellite, mobile communications, Internet and network services. China Orient was one of its member enterprises.

    Sinosat, a Beijing-based state-owned telecommunications satellite operator, main business scope covered the marketing and leasing of its satellite transponders, development, operation and management of the satellite telecommunications systems.