China launches first remote-sensing satellite monitoring power grid

China launched its first remote-sensing satellite in the power industry specifically designed to monitor and maintain its power grid on Wednesday, a move expected to enhance the safety and efficiency of electricity transmission across the country.

The satellite, coded Jixing High-Resolution 07D01, was sent into orbit by a carrier rocket which blasted off at 12:03 local time from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone near the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.

With a spatial resolution better than 0.5 meters, this satellite enables precise monitoring of the structural conditions of power grid equipment, such as transmission lines and pylons.

The satellite supports diverse applications, from managing ultra-high voltage (UHV) projects and assessing environmental impacts in transmission networks, to inspecting critical power corridors, issuing disaster warnings and evaluating post-disaster damage.

"Once the satellite is operational, it can be applied to 19 categories of scenarios in the future, supporting the construction of major ultra-high-voltage projects such as those transmitting hydropower from southwest China, environmental and water conservation monitoring, survey and design evaluation, as well as intelligent inspection throughout the entire lifecycle of transmission lines, along with disaster prevention and mitigation," said Yang Zhi, director of the power engineering satellite application center of the institute.

The satellite can perform continuous east-west strip observations, covering over 200 kilometers of transmission corridor in a single pass, according to the State Grid Electric Power Engineering Research Institute, one of its designers.

"This satellite improves the precision of transmission line surveys and inspections by approximately fivefold. For corridor monitoring and disaster prediction and warning, it can be seven times more efficient. Particularly for east-west oriented corridors, which this satellite is designed to monitor, it will significantly elevate the grid's emergency response capabilities and survey-and-design proficiency," said Liu Qianwei, president of the institute.

Looking ahead, China plans to launch 15 to 20 more power grid monitoring satellites during the 2026–2030 period, building a comprehensive system that leverages satellite technology to modernize and secure the country's electricity infrastructure.

China launches first remote-sensing satellite monitoring power grid

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