China's plan to build of a satellite internet at a faster pace, which has been articulated in the 2026 government work report, shows that commercial space industry is garnering unprecedented attentions in the country, said experts.
The government work report submitted Thursday to the ongoing fourth annual session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) -- China's top legislature -- for deliberation says the country will nurture emerging industries such as the aviation and aerospace industries and accelerate the development of a satellite internet.
Professor Zhang Tao with the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, who is also a deputy to the NPC, said that unlike the traditional aerospace research and development mode -- which prioritizes technology and mission success over cost -- the commercial space sector is now experiencing a revitalization fueled by an influx of commercial demand, technological talent, and private capital.
"The development momentum is clearly evident. I believe the gap between us and foreign counterparts is gradually narrowing in many aspects, and in some aspects, we have even attained a leading position," Zhang said.
By leveraging the advantages of its new system for mobilizing resources nationwide, China's commercial space industry is embracing a golden time for development, according to experts.
In terms of policy making, the National Space Administration set up a new department last year and released the first national-level guidance document. Major cities and provinces such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hainan have successively introduced policies aimed at fostering a more open and orderly commercial space market environment.
Meanwhile, a large number of commercial space startups are achieving technological breakthroughs in specialized fields, enhancing the efforts of state-owned entities and leading private enterprises to collectively advance the entire industrial ecosystem and overcome technical bottlenecks.
"Both established companies and startups have substantial room for growth. We also hope to foster synergy within the industry to collectively catch up with and exceed world-leading standards," said Jiang Luye, chief technology officer at Arktech, a rocket company based in Beijing.
China's commercial space industry sees great room for future development: experts
