The GPS is essential from China's economic and defence point of view, Qi Faren, expert of Chinese space technology said.
GPS, which is maintained by the US is a space-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at all times and anywhere on or near the Earth when and where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver.
The Chinese communication system would be developed according to three phased plan. The first step is to build a regional navigation system.
"But the regional navigation cannot meet the current demand. A growing China needs to establish a global positioning system according to its development," People's Daily online quoted Qi as saying.
