<span style="color: #222222;">China today launched its first communication satellite to provide broadband internet services worldwide in an apparent bid to rival Google and other international firms.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The satellite is the first in the Hongyun project planned by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC). <br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Hongyun project, started in September 2016, aims to build a space-based communications network to provide broadband internet connectivity to users around the world, especially those in the underserved regions.   <br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The spacecraft is tasked with verifying basic designs of Hongyun satellite and demonstrating low-orbit broadband communications technologies, state-run China Daily reported.  <br />'' </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The satellite is expected to work beyond its design life of one year. </span><br />