Yang Changfeng is a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and chief designer of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). [Photo/cppcc.gov.cn]

Yang Changfeng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), suggested giving full play to the system of pooling national strength and resources for key undertakings to support the development of Beidou navigation technology.

Yang, also chief designer of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), recalled how the program was developed into a self-reliant navigation and positioning system and a model of major modernization and innovation projects in the country since the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to build the system.

China made a three-step strategy for developing the BDS and caught up with its international peers in only 20 years, he said, highlighting several of the achievements made after the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, such as the 18 Beidou launch missions that placed 30 satellites into orbit.

The BDS has modernized its governance system and capability thanks to its innovative development mode and the Chinese system of pooling national strength and resources for key undertakings, he noted.

Yang said the hard work of all personnel participating in the BDS over the past decades has cultivated a spirit in the new era which highlights self-reliant innovation, open exchanges, concerted efforts, and striving for excellence.

He said the BDS workers will continue to promote the technology to serve the world, deliver benefits to humanity, and expand its global application under the guidance of the spirit.

According to Yang, as the wide commercial and international application of the BDS has entered a critical phase, it's necessary to shore up weakness and shortcomings and ensure the system's progress with stronger legal support and more competitive national strategic sci-tech strengths.