The white paper says China will develop and launch seed-breeding satellite, and promote integration of space technology and agricultural breeding technology and expand the application of space technology in the field of agricultural science research.

China will also develop scientific satellites, including space telescope and new-type recoverable satellites, and conduct basic research in the fields of space astronomy, space physics, micro-gravity science, and space life science, according to the white paper.

Over the past five years, China has independently developed and launched 22 different types of man-made satellites, upgrading its overall level in this field markedly.

On the basis of the four satellite series initially developed, China has developed two more satellite series, to bring the total to six -- the recoverable remote-sensing satellites, "DFH" (Dongfanghong, or The East is Red) telecommunications and broadcasting satellites, "FY" (Fengyun, or Wind and Cloud) meteorological satellites, "SJ" (Shijian, or Practice) scientific research and technological experiment satellites, "ZY" (Ziyuan, or Resources) Earth resource satellites, and "Beidou" (Plough) navigation and positioning satellites.

In addition, the oceanic satellite series will come into being soon. "Research and development of the payload of some new, high-performance satellites have been successful, and many application satellites have begun regular operation," the white paper says.

The Fengyun I and Fengyun II meteorological satellites have been listed by the World Meteorological Organization in the international satellite series for meteorological services.

The fields and scale where satellite remote-sensing is used have been constantly expanded. A national satellite remote-sensing application system has taken shape, the white paper says.

Satellite remote-sensing application systems are playing an important role in the nationwide land resources survey, ecological construction and environmental protection, as well as in major state projects, such as the South-North Water Diversion Project, Three Gorges Project, and the Project to Transmit Natural Gas from West to East.

Satellite telecommunications and broadcasting technologies are developing rapidly. By the end of 2005, China had more than 80 international and domestic telecommunications and broadcasting Earth stations, and 34 satellite broadcasting and TV link stations.

Dozens of departments and some large corporations have established some 100 satellite specialized communication networks and more than 50,000 Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSAT).

As a member of the International Maritime Satellite Organization, China has established a maritime satellite communication network covering the whole world, ranking it among the advanced countries in the application of international mobile satellite communication.

By employing domestic and foreign navigation and positioning satellites, China has made great progress in the development, application and services of satellite navigation and positioning technologies. The range and fields where satellite navigation and positioning are applied are being expanded and the size of the national market for satellite navigation and positioning doubles every two years

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