Satellite exports should be encouraged

The Chinese government should promote the export of commercial satellites and help domestic enterprises secure a larger share of the growing space market, a national lawmaker said.

Professor Zhang Tao, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, said commercial space has become a strategic arena in global competition. In addition to major space powers, an increasing number of countries and regions are developing policies to build their own space industries, while private investors are increasingly engaging in space businesses.

"Specifically speaking, the global satellite industry is rapidly expanding. The demand for satellite-enabled services continues to rise steadily in many countries. This is providing a very good opportunity for Chinese commercial space enterprises to establish their presence in the international market," Zhang told China Daily in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th NPC, which concluded in Beijing on Thursday.

Zhang, who teaches at the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Beihang University — formerly known as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics — is an active advocate for China's commercial space sector, often calling for more attention and support for the industry.

"Our country has strong manufacturing capacity and a comprehensive industrial system. Chinese commercial space enterprises can leverage our manufacturing advantages, technological innovation and international cooperation to gain competitive edges," Zhang said.

"Relevant government departments should encourage and facilitate the export of various types of satellites to meet diverse market demand. In particular, the export of low-Earth orbit satellites — which have broad applications in science and technology, educational activities and other sectors — should be prioritized when it comes to government reviews and approvals so that we can further promote Chinese space technologies and standards," he added.

The professor proposed that the government use favorable policies to foster satellite exports to countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, noting they have strong demand for cost-effective satellite services to offset limited space capabilities and a significant digital divide. He also suggested authorities should help enterprises better understand related policies so that favorable measures could yield the best results.

Currently, all of China's exported satellites have been designed and built by State-owned entities, such as China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp and the Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites.

Leading private satellite companies, including GalaxySpace, are exploring ways to promote their satellites and services internationally. GalaxySpace has partnered with Mahanakorn University of Technology in Thailand to establish a ground test station in the Southeast Asian nation and conduct experimental verification of a low-Earth orbit broadband internet network.

The Beijing-based company has also formed partnerships in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Malaysia.