Establishing the Beidou Navigation Application Industrial Base in Shanghai

Strategic Cooperation for Beidou Navigation

The PLA General Staff Headquarters and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government have committed to building a national Beidou navigation application industrial base in Shanghai. This collaboration is designed to enhance the development of the Beidou navigation industry through military-civilian integration. The agreement focuses on several key areas:

• Industrial Base Development: Establishing a comprehensive Beidou navigation application industrial base.
• Investment Funds: Creating industrial investment funds to attract social capital.
• Innovation and Standards: Developing a national satellite navigation product testing center and setting application standards.
• Core Technology: Innovating core technologies for satellite navigation applications.
• Civil-Military Cooperation: Establishing mechanisms for the integration of military and civilian achievements.

Objectives and Benefits

According to the General Staff Department of Surveying and Mapping Navigation Bureau, this collaboration aligns with the National Space Development Strategy. The primary objectives include:

• Promoting Strategic Emerging Industries: Fostering the growth of new and strategic industries.
• Resource Sharing: Enhancing the sharing of resources and personnel exchanges.
• Core Competitiveness: Boosting the core competitiveness of China's Beidou satellite navigation industry.

The Beidou system will be prioritized in various fields, including urban safety management, emergency and disaster relief, public transportation, and hazardous materials transportation. This approach follows the principle of "mature one, promote one," ensuring that mature technologies and products are utilized effectively.

The Beidou Satellite Navigation System

The Beidou satellite navigation and positioning system is a significant achievement for China, representing a system with completely independent intellectual property rights. By 2020, the Beidou system aims to achieve global reach, joining the ranks of other global satellite navigation systems such as the U.S. GPS, Russia's GLONASS, and the EU's Galileo system.

Interesting Statistics

• Global Reach: By 2020, the Beidou system aimed to provide global coverage, making it one of the few global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) alongside GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo (source).
• Economic Impact: The Beidou system is expected to generate significant economic benefits, with estimates suggesting it could contribute over $57 billion to the Chinese economy by 2025 (source).

Conclusion

The establishment of the Beidou navigation application industrial base in Shanghai marks a significant step in China's space development strategy. This initiative not only strengthens the integration of military and civilian sectors but also promotes innovation and competitiveness in the satellite navigation industry. With the Beidou system's global reach and economic potential, China is poised to become a leader in satellite navigation technology.

For more information on global navigation satellite systems, visit the U.S. GPS website and the South China Morning Post article on Beidou's economic impact.