China establishes new regulator to boost private space industry

China's burgeoning private space sector has received a major boost with the establishment of a dedicated government body, signaling a strong commitment by Beijing to support and manage the industry's rapid growth.

The China National Space Administration recently announced the formation of the Commercial Space Department, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency on Saturday. This new office will serve as the specialized regulator for all commercial space activities, marking a significant step toward fostering the sector's high-quality development and potentially benefiting the entire supply chain.

China's commercial space industry has seen historic expansion in recent years, driven by new government policies, technological advances, and growing market demand. This sector, which includes private companies building rockets, satellites, and offering space-related services, has operated through close coordination across its entire supply chain.

According to a CNSA official, there are now more than 600 private space-related enterprises in China. The new regulatory body aims to safely unlock the potential of these companies.

Alongside the new department, the CNSA has unveiled an Action Plan for Promoting the High-Quality and Safe Development of Commercial Space (2025–27).

This plan integrates the commercial sector into China's overall national space strategy. Its core goal is to accelerate the formation of "new quality productive forces" — a concept that means developing advanced, high-tech capabilities — to improve the overall efficiency of the space program and support the country's ambition to become a powerful space nation.

By 2027, China aims to create a more coordinated and efficient commercial space ecosystem, expand the scale of the industry, strengthen safety in research and manufacturing, and make better use of national space resources.