BEIJING, December 23 (RIA Novosti) - China has successfully orbited its third meteorological satellite, the Fengyun-2-06, the country's central television CCTV reported on Tuesday.

The satellite was launched from the XiChang Satellite Launch Center, in southwest China at 08:54 a.m. local time (00:54 a.m. GMT) on board a Chang Zheng-3A carrier rocket.

The Fengyun-2-06 weather satellite will collect meteorological data from the previously orbited satellites and replace its outdated predecessor, the Fengyun-2-C, orbited in 2004. China launched its second weather satellite, the Fengyun 2-D, in 2006.

China uses the data from its meteorological satellites to compile weather forecasts and for emergency monitoring.