Global reach targeted in Beidou drive

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project has also agreed to support Beidou as a platform for timing and positioning for its member telecommunications associations, Wang said.

Ren said China has begun to collaborate with GPS, Glonass and Europe's Galileo on frequency coordination and ground applications.

"Beidou-based products are being used in more than 30 nations. Next, we will give the system global coverage and improve its stability and reliability. In addition, more efforts will be made to develop ground applications," he added.

A satellite industry researcher, who did not wish to be named, said the government should set clear responsibilities for authorities linked with Beidou to help the industry's overseas expansion.

"The US has clear policies for each government department to carry out its duties in the management and promotion of GPS, but we still can't determine who is in charge of some specific fields when it comes to Beidou," he said.

"We should also bear in mind that when promoting Beidou there is still a long way for us to go before it can catch up with GPS — for example, accuracy, service reliability and the ground tracking system should continue to be improved."