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China’s GPS-like BeiDou navigation system recognised as global standard for commercial aviation in ‘important milestone’

  • China’s BeiDou system, which is similar to the US’ Global Positioning System (GPS), has been recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation
  • The move will bring more benefits to the global community, while it could boost Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, analysts said

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China’s BeiDou and the US-made GPS are two of the four core providers of global satellite navigation systems, with the network also including Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System and the European Union’s Galileo. Photo: Future Publishing via Getty Images
Mia Nulimaimaitiin Hong KongandLuna Sunin Beijing

China’s equivalent to the US’ Global Positioning System (GPS) has gained an international qualification that allows it to expand into global commercial aviation, with the “important milestone” a potential boost for the technology, analysts said.

The home-grown BeiDou system has been recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation as one of its standards, becoming a universal satellite navigation system for civil flights globally, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on Wednesday.

“[This] fully proves that BeiDou has the ability to provide global navigation services in various industries,” the regulator said.

The Chinese system, completed in 2020, has 59 positioning satellites in its network.

It will also promote international cooperation and connectivity in the aviation industry
Guo Rui

It marked one of Beijing’s efforts to achieve tech self-sufficiency amid a tense relationship with Washington.

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