On September 18, 2011, witnessed by leaders of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Belarus, China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC) and Republican Production Unitary Enterprise "Precise Electro-Mechanics Factory" (PEMF) signed the Contract for the Creation of a National System of Satellite Communication and Broadcasting for the Republic of Belarus. In August of 2012, the two companies signed the Contract Agreement for NSSC Satellite System.

As defined in the Contract, the prime contractor CGWIC, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), would work together with China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) and China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General (CLTC) on the design, construction, integration, test and launch of BELINTERSAT-1, and would deliver the satellite to PEMF in-orbit as well as related ground TT&C facilities.

The DFH-4 based BELINTERSAT-1 is the first communications satellite procured by PEMF, and is also the first China-made communications satellite delivered in-orbit to a European customer. It is the 9th satellite delivered in-orbit by China and will be launched in the 223th mission of the Long March launch vehicle family.