Pakistan adopts China's GPS satellite programme

(Karachi) As part of efforts to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation, Pakistan has adopted China's domestic satellite navigation system, becoming the first foreign state to use the Global Positioning System (GPS).

The system has been made by a Chinese firm, Beidou Satellite System, and it can be used in various fields including agriculture, fishing, transportation, disaster reduction and relief sectors. The initiative is part of bilateral agreements that were inked earlier between Pakistan and China for promotion of navigation system, inter-connectivity, maritime cooperation, and aviation and aerospace.

The project covered Karachi and its surrounding areas supporting basic geographic surveying, land management and port dispatching with reduced costs and enhanced efficiency.

Commenting on the matter, Beidou Navigation Satellite System Spokesperson RAN Chengqi said, “We perceive a better cooperation perspective with Pakistan in the field of satellite navigation system."

He added, "Services provided by the company are wide-ranging and would benefit the entire world through more international cooperation." Chengqi maintained that enterprises of over 200 countries have already applied for Beidou's technology and the products manufactured by Chinese companies are being exported to over 100 countries.

“The users of the countries along the Belt and Road region will be our target and we will provide our service to South East Asia, South Asia and African,” he mentioned.

Beidou is counted amongst China’s largest space-based system that began providing positioning, navigation, timing and messaging services to civilian users in China and other parts of the Asia-Pacific region in December 2012. At the end of 2018, Beidou started to provide global services.

In May 2013, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Pakistan and inked an agreement to introduce Beidou Satellite Navigation System in the country.