If China is to build a new satellite launch base in its southernmost island province of Hainan, the base will mainly be used for commercial launches, a leading official said in Beijing on Tuesday.

"Moreover, the fuel used by the launch vehicles will be free of toxics, harmful materials or pollutants. No nuclear fuel will be used," said Wei Liucheng, secretary of the Hainan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China.

However, Wei didn't confirm whether the government has decided to establish the base in Hainan, and refused to give any further details such as when the construction work will start.

Wei, also a deputy to the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) , China's top legislature, now in its annual full session in Beijing, made the remarks at a panel discussion of lawmakers from Hainan.

Wei noted that technically speaking, Hainan is an ideal location for heavy-load satellite launches, as the tropical island is close to the equator, making it possible to save fuel and improve safety for space launches compared with existing space bases in the northern and western hinterland.

The proposed new space base will also adopt an open mode of commercial operation, which will help boost local tourism, he added.

China now already has three space bases in Jiuquan of the northwestern Gansu Province, Xichang of the southwestern Sichuan Province and Taiyuan of the northern Shanxi Province.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2007)