China aiming to have its own GPS in place by 2012

Experts also urge international cooperation in navigation systems

China is in a rush to build its version of the Global Positioning System (GPS), by planning to launch 10 Beidou navigation satellites between now and 2012, a newly launched official website said.

"The Beidou (Compass) Navigation Satellite System, which will be completed in 2020 with 35 satellites, will enable China to shake off its dependence on GPS and achieve huge economic benefits," Pang Zhihao, a senior researcher with the China Academy of Space Technology, told China Daily.