A Chinese communication and navigation technology test satellite, known as the Tiandu-1, has recently conducted a laser ranging technology test in the Earth-Moon space under strong daylight interference conditions, marking a world first, according to the satellite's developer, China’s Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL), on Tuesday.
This achievement represents a major technological breakthrough for China in the field of precise measurements in deep space orbits.
Laser ranging on satellites in the Earth-Moon space is akin to targeting a single hair from 10,000 kilometers away while performing precise tracking and signal capture. In the past, such tests could only be conducted at night when light interference was minimal.
The successful daylight laser ranging test has effectively expanded the observation window, providing crucial support for major deep space exploration missions, such as the International Lunar Research Station.
The Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 satellites were launched into space alongside the Queqiao-2 relay satellite on March 20, 2024. They entered their target circumlunar orbits on March 29 and separated on April 3. The Tiandu-1 has already completed multiple new technology tests in orbit.
China's Tiandu-1 satellite conducts laser ranging in Earth-moon space under daylight
China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.
In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.
"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.
This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.
By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.
China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.
The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.
"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.
China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting
