News analysis

New navigation system boosts China's military power, tech clout

BeiDou also offers countries and firms an alternative to US-controlled GPS, say experts

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China last Friday commissioned its answer to the US' global positioning system (GPS) , in a move it has heralded as a major milestone in its quest to become a space power.

But beyond that, China's BeiDou navigation system has substantial strategic and economic implications, experts say.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 04, 2020, with the headline New navigation system boosts China's military power, tech clout. Subscribe