China's satellite navigation and location-based service sector continues to accelerate, with total output reaching 575.8 billion yuan (about $79.9 billion) in 2024 – a 7.39% jump from the previous year. This growth underscores the booming demand for precise positioning and real-time services across industries and daily life.
Patenting prowess is another bright spot: enterprises and research institutions on the Chinese mainland filed more than 129,000 patents related to satellite navigation, cementing the region's role as a global innovation leader in this field.
At the heart of this surge is the homegrown BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). By year-end, roughly 288 million smartphones on the mainland featured BeiDou-enabled positioning, providing users with high-precision, lane-level navigation that covers over 99% of urban and rural roads.
Every day, BDS processes over one trillion location-based service requests and supports more than 4 billion kilometers of journeys. Beyond personal navigation, more than 50 cities are now piloting smart connected vehicles powered by BeiDou's centimetre-level accuracy.
Internationally, BDS standards have been adopted by 11 major organizations in civil aviation, maritime affairs, and mobile telecoms. Related products and services have been exported to over 140 countries and regions, showcasing the system's global impact.
As industries embrace next-gen mobility, logistics, and urban planning, the satellite navigation sector on the Chinese mainland is poised for even greater expansion, driving innovation and connectivity worldwide.
Reference(s):
China's satellite navigation industry output hits 575.8 billion yuan
cgtn.com
