China to promote high-quality development of satellite communication industry

BEIJING -- China will promote the high-quality development of the satellite communication industry by optimizing business access, according to a set of guidelines unveiled by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Wednesday.

The guidelines aim to promote the launch of satellite communication services, stimulate the vitality of innovation in the commercial space sector and foster new drivers of productivity in an orderly manner, all of which is aimed at supporting China's transformation into a manufacturing power and a cyber power, as well as the construction of a Digital China.

By 2030, China aims to improve the management system, policies and regulations for satellite communication, optimize its industrial development environment, and boost the integrated development of infrastructure, industrial supply, technical standards and international cooperation, according to the guidelines.

New business models and forms such as direct satellite connection for mobile phones will be applied widely, and the number of satellite communication users will exceed 10 million, per the guidelines.

They state that the country will support the accelerated development of low-orbit satellite internet, promote the application of direct satellite connection for mobile phones and other terminal devices, encourage the exploration of new satellite communication businesses, and expand market access for private enterprises.

They also encourage the application of satellite communication in various industries and fields, including agriculture, transportation, energy and urban governance. They promote the cross-integration of satellite communication with new-generation information infrastructure, including areas such as the industrial internet, vehicle networking and air-borne communication.

The country will also strengthen its development of key core technologies, build an open and shared standards system, and foster a mutually beneficial industrial ecosystem, per the guidelines.