Xie Jun: Development of BeiDou system 'sign of national strength, technological capability'

Prominent scientists in satellite navigation and lunar exploration gave lectures at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University on Thursday (June 24) morning.

Xie Jun, deputy chief designer of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), shared his experience with more than 100 students, scientific researchers and scholars. He is also the chief designer of the system's third-generation satellite. 

Xie introduced that China's BeiDou navigation system has launched 59 satellites.

Xie added that the spirit of BeiDou in the new era reflects the determination of the Chinese aerospace team to take the initiative to develop our own navigation satellite system in an independent and innovative manner.

The construction of the navigation satellite system is a sign of national strength and technological capability of China, he said.

Xie said that the establishment process of the BeiDou system follows the principle of "independence, openness, compatibility and progression," focusing on the needs of safeguarding national security and promoting economic and social development. The system is established to not only serve the country, but also other parts of the world, he said.

He pointed out that the success of BeiDou project results from the joint efforts by more than 400 research units and more than 300,000 scientists, requiring the cooperation of different sectors.