The authorities are promoting the use of satellites for remote sensing, navigation and communications to provide better public services and further economic development.
Proposals for the civilian use of satellite technology were jointly issued by the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the National Development and Reform Commission. They were unveiled yesterday.
The proposals outline the development guidelines, major goals and policy, and regulatory guarantees necessary for expanding the use of satellite technology.
Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan said the country's use of satellite technology had shifted to the commercial stage after more than 50 years of development.
Sun Laiyan is vice-minister of the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. He said, "The need for satellites has been boosted by the economy, social progress and the necessity of safeguarding public security."
The blueprint issued yesterday aims to have 10 satellite-based service systems in place by 2020. They will cover communications, navigation, oceans, meteorology, the environment, disaster relief, water conservancy, national land resources, agriculture, forestry, and distance education.
Sun said the country's satellite-based remote sensing and navigation systems have passed a key turning point, while the development of satellite communications are on track to becoming commercially viable.
Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, said the aerospace and satellite sectors are considered strategic high-tech industries.
"They will make the nation more innovative and improve its industrial structure," Zhang said.
The new materials industry is one area that has benefited from advances in the aerospace industry.
Long Lehao is an expert on the Long March series rockets. He said in a recent interview, "A tiny step in the aerospace arena means a big stride back on earth."
He said the country's independent research and development of the Long March carrier rockets had brought the heavens closer and unlocked new technologies that could improve life on earth.
Some 80 percent of the 1,000 varieties of new materials developed in recent years benefited from the space industry.
Questions:
1.The blueprint calls for how many satellite-based service systems in place by 2020?
2.What did Zhang say the aerospace and satellite sectors are considered?
3.What percentage of new materials developed recently benefited from the space industry?
Answers:
1.10.
2.Strategic high-tech industries.
3.80 percent.
（英语点津 Celene 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
