China to build world-class large space corporations
(Xinhua) Updated: 2006-10-12 10:26 BEIJING -- To further consolidate the nation's
position in the world space industry and boost its space programs, China is
aiming to building "world-class large space corporations" to provide a
market-based mechanism of development.
A government white paper issued Thursday said China will "accelerate the
building of world-class large space corporations" to pursue "more economic and
social benefits."
With emphasis on telecommunications satellites, satellite telecommunications,
satellite remote-sensing, satellite navigation and carrier rockets, China will
vigorously construct a comprehensive chain of space industry covering satellite
manufacturing, launching services, ground equipment production and operational
services, said the document, titled China's Space Activities in 2006.
The Chinese government will increase input to the space industry, and at the
same time encourage the establishment of a diverse, multi-channel space funding
system, so as to guarantee the sustainable and stable development of the space
industry, it said. China's space programs today is now solely funded by the
government.
As an incentive to spur the domestic market growth, the document said China
encourages satellite operation enterprises and application units to use Chinese
satellites and satellite-application products, according to the white paper.
The government also pledges to strengthen the building of infrastructure
facilities for developing, producing and experimenting with spacecraft and
carrier rockets, and give support to key laboratories and engineering research
centers of space science and technology, strengthen the work on informatization,
intellectual property rights and standardization of space activities.
The most prestigious space company in the country is China Aerospace Science
and Technology Corp, officially established in 1999 as the main contractor for
the Chinese space program. It has over 180 subordinate enterprises and
institutions with nearly 100,000 employees in total.
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