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China's space programme
ChinaPolitics

Wuhan plans to become China’s ‘valley of satellites’ as cities race to develop space industry

  • The central city is offering companies financial incentives to develop satellites, rockets and spacecraft using locally built materials
  • Wuhan wants to develop a US$15.7 billion industry in competition with other cities as China seeks to become a major space power by 2030

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The city is seeking to develop its space industry. Photo: Xinhua
Reuters
The central Chinese city of Wuhan has vowed to create a 100 billion yuan (US$15.7 billion) space industry by 2025 and become China’s “valley of satellites”, joining other cities tasked with developing the sector.
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Wuhan is offering firms up to 50 million yuan in financial incentives each in projects related to the manufacturing of satellites, rockets and spacecraft, according to a notice from the city government on Wednesday.

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The amounts for the inland city are modest compared with ambitious plans outlined by other prosperous coastal cities, but the effort suggests a deepening push by China to become a major space power by 2030.

China envisions massive constellations of commercial satellites that can offer services ranging from high-speed internet for aircraft to tracking coal shipments.

The Wuhan city government will encourage companies to use locally sourced equipment, software and services.

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If a firm uses local products in more than 10 per cent of the production of high-orbiting and low-orbiting satellites as well as spacecraft, it will get financial incentives of up to 15 million yuan.

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