Opinion: GPS, watch out. Here comes China’s system

A model of Chinese BeiDou Navigation Satellite System at the 12th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in 2018 in Zhuhai city, south China's Guangdong province. China is celebrating the completion of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. — AP

Covid-19 may have left roads around the globe barren of cars, but it hasn’t stopped China from claiming leadership over the world of navigation and digital mapping. Watch out, GPS.

Big plans are in the making. China has launched the final leg of its BeiDou Navigation Satellite system, or BDS, completing the build-out of a network that competes with America’s ubiquitous Global Positioning System and Europe’s Galileo. Regulators have effectively set a framework of standards for intelligent mobility, while separately committing to double down with financial help and incentives for companies that leverage these technologies. Ran Chengqi, director of China’s Satellite Navigation Office, has said the country is set to build a supply chain of chips, modules, boards and other services for BeiDou.