WASHINGTON (States News Service) China plans to launch the first of seven miniature satellites for Earth observation and communications this year, and also hopes to put an ocean-mapping satellite into space next year, according to the Pentagon.

The report to Congress on Chinas military status says the country plans to ratchet up its space program in the next 20 years for military and civil purposes. So far, the report says, China has the capability of launching satellites for reconnaissance but its technology is outdated by Western standards.

"This is just basic science."

This years launch of the Tsinghua system satellite would be the first of seven 100-kilogram crafts to be used for remote sensing and radar. The remote sensing payloads are being developed by Tsinghua University and Great Britains University of Surrey.

The ocean-mapping satellite, the Haiyang 1 (Ocean-1), is to be used for weather studies and observation. China already has three low-orbit meteorological satellites and a geosynchronous weather satellite.

China would use Haiyang which will weigh between 400 and 500 kilograms -- for looking at currents, fisheries, mapping oceans, depths and currents, said Charles Vick, senior analyst for the Federation of American Scientists space policy project.

"This is just basic science," Vick said. Although the technology is not new, "the fact that they're finally getting around to it is of some significance."

China intends to build up its space launch program, but there is no evidence it is developing the ability to "launch-on-demand" by sending up satellites or launch vehicles within 24 hours of deciding to do so.

China still intends to join the elite club of human spaceflight next year by launching its first piloted spacecraft, the report says.