Screenshot from circulating video online

Videos circulating online showed an unidentified flying object (UFO) over the Xi'an city wall in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province early Friday, which has been clarified and confirmed as a rocket trail left by a launch at 4:45 am on Friday, according to a report from the People's Daily news app, noting reporters had verified with official sources.

China successfully conducted the launch from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, using a modified Long March-6 carrier rocket to place a new group of low-earth orbit (LEO) Internet satellites — designated as Group 04 — into space. The satellites entered their planned orbit smoothly, marking a complete success for the mission, according to the report.

The video released with the report showed an object with a long trailing tail, ascending diagonally from the left side of the horizon and disappearing from view after a while.

Global Times