Beidou navigation satellite system contributing to building a global community of shared future

China’s State Council Information Office issued a white paper titled “China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System in the New Era” on Nov. 4, 2022.

According to the white paper, navigation satellite systems are the common wealth of humanity. Following the principles of openness, integration, coordination, cooperation, compatibility, complementarity and sharing, China has carried out active international cooperation on BDS and advanced its international applications. This will enable the system to better serve the world, benefit humanity, and contribute to building a global community of shared future.

1. Increasing Compatibility and Interoperability of Diverse Systems

In order to provide users with more high-quality, diverse, secure and reliable services, China is active in advocating and advancing the compatibility and interoperability of different navigation satellite systems, carrying out coordination and consultation on the utilization of frequency and orbital slot resources, and working with other countries to make improvements.

Stepping up cooperation for better compatibility and interoperability. China continues to promote compatibility and interoperability between BDS and other navigation satellite systems and satellite-based augmentation systems, and to strengthen the compatibility and joint applications with other navigation satellite systems, so as to achieve resource sharing, complementarity and advances in technology. China works to establish bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in the field of satellite navigation, coordinates compatibility and interoperability efforts, and carries out active cooperation and exchanges with other countries on navigation satellite systems and satellite-based augmentation systems, in a bid to achieve common development of all navigation satellite systems around the world.

Carrying out coordination and consultation on the utilization of frequency and orbital slot resources. Abiding by the International Telecommunication Union rules, China works to safeguard the international order in terms of satellite network application and coordination and to facilitate coordination and consultation on navigation satellite frequencies and orbital slots through bilateral and multilateral negotiations. China is also an active participant in technological research and standards formulation led by international organizations, and joins with other countries to safeguard, utilize and expand navigation satellite frequency and orbital slot resources.

2. Promoting International Cooperation and Exchanges

China continues to expand the circle of international BDS friends and improve its global applications through measures such as strengthening cooperation mechanisms, increasing cooperation channels, and establishing cooperation platforms and windows.

Stepping up participation in international satellite navigation affairs. China has attended activities under the framework of the United Nations, and hosted ICG meetings. It also participates actively in research projects and proposes cooperation initiatives in this area, and works with other countries to promote global satellite navigation through extensive consultation.

Carrying out bilateral and multilateral cooperation and exchanges. China conducts cooperation and exchanges with regional organizations such as ASEAN and the League of Arab States, and countries in Africa, Latin America and elsewhere. It holds BDS/GNSS cooperation forums and provides application scenarios and solutions, so as to expand international applications of BDS.

Extending cooperation in testing and assessment. China collaborates with other countries to conduct testing and assessment on the performance of BDS and other global navigation satellite systems in positioning, navigation, timing, short message communication, international search and rescue, and other areas. It issues testing and assessment reports to increase users’ knowledge and confidence about the conditions and performance of navigation satellite systems, strengthening cooperation in this area.

Establishing international education and training platforms. China continues to promote academic education of international students, especially at master’s and doctoral levels, in disciplines related to satellite navigation. Relying on platforms such as the Regional Center for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (China) affiliated to the United Nations, the BeiDou International Exchange and Training Center, and various BDS/GNSS centers, China actively carries out satellite navigation training activities to cultivate talent and build professional capacity in the field for the international community and in particular for developing countries.

Conducting international academic exchanges. Through strengthening international exchange platforms such as the China Satellite Navigation Conference and the International Summit on BDS Applications, China has constantly expanded the global influence of BDS. China also takes an active part in international academic exchange events in the field of satellite navigation and makes contribution to advances in satellite navigation technology worldwide.

3. Promoting the Ratification of BDS by International Standards

China is making every effort to have BDS ratified by international standards organizations and standards organizations in the industrial and specialized application sectors, so that the system can better serve global users and support relevant industries.

International civil aviation standards. The technical indicators of BDS have passed the authentication of the International Civil Aviation Organization, indicating that the system conforms with international civil aviation standards and is qualified to provide positioning, navigation and timing services for global users in the civil aviation sector.

International maritime standards. BDS has become an integral part of the global radio-navigation system and gained legal status in maritime applications worldwide. China has released the official standards for BDS shipborne receiver equipment, providing criteria on the design, production and testing of relevant maritime equipment for global manufacturers. The BDS short message communication service is making steady progress in aligning with the global maritime distress and safety system of the International Maritime Organization.

International search and rescue standards. China has issued an international standard for satellite emergency locators. It is also endeavoring to enable the BDS return link service to be ratified by the Cospas-Sarsat, and working on international compatibility and joint application of the return link service.

International mobile communication standards. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project has issued technical, performance and consistency testing standards that support BDS signals, enabling 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks and terminals to use BDS to achieve aided positioning and high-accuracy positioning.

International data exchange standards. China is working to incorporate BDS into international general standards for data receivers in fields such as high-accuracy differential positioning services, general data exchange formats, and positioning information output protocols.

4. Enabling BDS Development to Benefit the Whole World

China is working to expand and extend the international application of BDS products, services and industries, and accelerate the large-scale application of BDS worldwide, for the purpose of boosting economic and social development and improving public wellbeing across the globe.

Increasing the contribution of BDS products to the world. China is speeding up the integration of BDS products such as chips, modules and terminals into the international industrial system, enabling them to meet international requirements and align with international standards. Efforts are also made to give full play to the unique strengths of BDS products and enable them to integrate into local industries, upgrade services, and boost economic and social development.

Promoting BDS services overseas. China has set up an international satellite navigation application and service network, and joined with other countries to build satellite navigation service platforms and provide international services and applications such as global search and rescue, short message communication, satellite-based augmentation, and ground-based augmentation to meet the diverse demands of global users.

Expanding international cooperation on satellite navigation. China engages in active cooperation with other countries and international organizations on technology R&D and the satellite navigation industry. It has set up overseas BDS application and industrialization promotion centers, and strives to build solid foundations for the satellite navigation industry. It is strengthening cooperation with regional organizations such as ASEAN, the African Union, the League of Arab States, and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, and releasing BDS-based solutions in the fields of smart cities, public security, precision agriculture, digital transport, and disaster prevention and mitigation, which are being piloted in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.