Regulator gives go-ahead to major Xinjiang telescope

Plans to build one of the world's largest moving single-dish radio telescopes in northwestern China have been given the green light, it was announced on Thursday.

The National Development and Reform Commission approved the Qitai Radio Telescope on Dec 26 and a timeline for construction is expected soon, said Jiang Chenfeng, a spokeswoman for the Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory.

The observatory and the Chinese Academy of Sciences will build the facility in Qitai county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, which is seen as an ideal spot due to its high altitude, arid climate and lack of human activity.