BEIJING, June 24 (Xinhua) — The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China.

SATELLITE LAUNCH

China successfully launched three new remote sensing satellites from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province Thursday.

The satellites will be mainly used to conduct science experiments, land resource surveys, yield estimation of agricultural products and disaster prevention and reduction.

PATENT EXAMINATION

China will further improve its patent examination efficiency to support a better innovation and business environment, the country’s top intellectual property regulator said Thursday at a press conference.

By the end of 2021, the processing time for the examination of high-value patents had been cut to 13.3 months, “achieving the target ahead of schedule,” said a senior official with the National Intellectual Property Administration.

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

The Hongyanhe Nuclear Power Station, the first nuclear power plant in northeast China, became fully operational on Thursday, according to the China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN).

Compared to coal-fired ones, the nuclear power plant could save 14.52 million tonnes of coal consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 39.93 million tonnes a year, which is equivalent to planting 108,000 hectares of trees.