Global reach targeted in Beidou drive

More international recognition expected for China's homegrown satellite navigation system

China is striving to promote its domestically developed Beidou Navigation Satellite System to more international organizations to boost the space network's overseas expansion, project officials said on Thursday.

The Beidou system's standards have been ratified by the International Maritime Organization for nautical operations, following the United States' GPS and Russia's Glonass, Ran Chengqi, director of the China Satellite Navigation Office, said at a news conference in Beijing.

"We are pressing forward with recognition of the Beidou system by organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization and 3rd Generation Partnership Project," Ren said.

This partnership project groups regional telecommunications organizations seeking to enhance the standardization of mobile communications.

At the news conference, hosted by the State Council Information Office, a white paper was released, elaborating on the current situation and development plan for the Beidou system. The document is the first of its kind published by China on the global navigation satellite system.

Hu Kaihong, a spokesman for the information office, said China hopes to build a Beidou system benefiting not only the country but also the world. He said the nation is committed to providing a consistent, stable and reliable service to users worldwide.

Wang Li, director of the China Satellite Navigation Office's International Cooperation Research Center, told China Daily the International Civil Aviation Organization has begun standardization procedures for the Beidou system to enable it to be adopted by airlines for flight navigation.