Promising navigation net

That China has joined the satellite navigation and positioning club alongside the United States, Russia and the European Union shows the importance the country has attached to innovation and technology.

It was of vital importance for China to develop such a global satellite navigation system of its own, not just for its own security but for the advancement of its economy.

The Beidou satellite navigation system is at present supported by 16 satellites and there are plans to increase the number to 35 by 2020. In recent years, the satellite navigation system has already been extensively used for telecommunications, meteorological observation, and in the fishing, transportation and other industries. It also played an important role in the rescue and relief operations after the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 and the Zhouqu mudslide in 2010.