China has launched another orbiter into space as part of its satellite and navigation network known as Beidou.

The orbiter was launched early Wednesday from the Xichang launch center in southwestern Sichuan province, and was put into orbit by a Long March 3A rocket.

The satellite, developed by the China Academy of Space and Technology, has equipment that will enable it to provide high-accuracy positioning services for users in China and neighboring countries.

China's official news agency, Xinhua, says this is the ninth orbiter the country has launched since 2007. It says that the system eventually will consist of 35 satellites.