President Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella sent each other congratulatory messages on the successful launch of the seismo-electromagnetic satellite ZH 1 on Friday.

The ZH 1, named after Zhang Heng (AD 78-139), the inventor of the seismoscope, was jointly developed by China and Italy. It was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China on Friday.

China and Italy have made great progress in cooperation on the seismo-electromagnetic satellite project, which is an important demonstration of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said in his congratulatory message.

The successful launch will improve the capacity of the two countries in monitoring Earth's electromagnetic environment with aerospace technologies, help with earthquake precautions and disaster prevention, and serve the economic and social development of the two countries, Xi said.

China attaches great importance to the development of China-Italy relations, Xi said, adding that China would like to make joint efforts with Italy to push forward cooperation in all areas, thus benefiting the people of both countries.

Mattarella said the successful launch of the satellite is an important achievement in the cooperation between the two countries, reflecting both sides' solid partnership in scientific areas.

Italy would like to make joint efforts with China to push forward more outcomes in cooperation in all areas, he said.