Bolivia's China-made communications satellite has fixed its position in geostationary orbit at 87.2 degrees west longitude, according to the China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) on Friday.

The right to observe and control the satellite was transferred to Bolivia at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, according to the CGWIC.

China sent the satellite into orbit with its Long March-3B carrier rocket from the southwest Xichang Satellite Launch Center on Dec. 21.

It is Bolivia's first communications satellite. Bolivian President Juan Evo Morales Ayma was present. It was the first time a foreign head of state has witnessed a satellite launch in China.

The satellite was produced by China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation with a designed life of 15 years.

The satellite is named Tupac Katari in homage to an 18th century indigenous hero who fought Bolivia's Spanish colonizers.

Source: Xinhua News Agency