China has unveiled a strategic roadmap to advance its Beidou positioning and navigation system by 2035, with global implications. The plan includes completing key technology research by 2025 and launching test satellites around 2027. The next-generation Beidou system will provide real-time, high-precision navigation services. The upgraded system will use satellites in high, medium, and low Earth orbits.
The new Beidou system will support user terminals from Earth’s surface to deep space and integrate with other navigation technologies. China’s Beidou system is already considered superior to the US GPS in some areas, with unique advantages like two-way communication and regional accuracy. The improved Beidou system could see China surpass the US and others in positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities. This could enhance China’s commercial and economic influence globally.
