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
John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Tuesday welcomed the white paper "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems" released by the State Council Information Office.
Lee said in a statement that he will fully support and implement the content and requirements of the white paper.
The white paper detailed how the fight for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong is an unrelenting one. Lee said that since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the manipulation of anti-China agitators in Hong Kong and hostile external forces had long stalled legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, creating destabilizing opportunities.
Today, while Hong Kong is making every effort to boost the economy, pursue development, undertake construction and improve people's livelihood, it must be remembered that national security risks still exist among us and can arise all of a sudden, he added.
The white paper stated that the central government has the fundamental responsibility for national security matters concerning Hong Kong. Lee expressed support and gratefulness for the central government's decisive act at a critical moment in Hong Kong, formulating the national security law in Hong Kong at the state level for the HKSAR's promulgation and implementation locally.
The national security law in Hong Kong ended the state of defenselessness regarding national security that had persisted for over two decades since Hong Kong's return, and ended the "black-clad violence" prevailing in Hong Kong at the time, Lee said, adding that the HKSAR government has been combating acts and activities endangering national security with full force and in accordance with the law, and as a result, order returned to the community.
The white paper illustrated the HKSAR's achievements in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility for safeguarding national security. Lee said that the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance function as an integral whole to build a solid shield for safeguarding national security in Hong Kong, effectively protecting the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law and providing a solid foundation for Hong Kong's security and development.
The white paper stated that Hong Kong is progressing from disorder to stability and prosperity. Lee said that under the auspices of the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, Hong Kong society is stable and prosperous, the normal lives and development of the people of Hong Kong are firmly guaranteed, and international rating agencies continue to give Hong Kong positive assessments.
The white paper laid down the practical requirements of creating high-standard security for the high-quality development of the "one country, two systems." Lee said that Hong Kong must work under the guidance of a holistic approach to national security, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, safeguarding of national security throughout the entire process of the implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.
Lee said that security is the prerequisite for development, and development is the guarantee of security. The HKSAR government will steadfastly safeguard national security and promote economic development and is committed to advancing the high-quality development of the cause of "one country, two systems" under the auspices of high-level security, and to achieving high-level security through high-quality development.
HKSAR chief executive welcomes white paper on Hong Kong's efforts in safeguarding national security
