China to further improve BeiDou tech innovation: vice premier

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing said on Tuesday that China will further enhance technological innovation of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) so that it can better serve global users.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a speech delivered at the 5th International Summit on BDS Applications held in Zhuzhou in central China's Hunan Province.

He said China is willing to work with all parties to uphold the principles of openness and integration, coordination and cooperation, as well as mutual complementarity for shared benefits.

He said China will strengthen the integration of BeiDou with artificial intelligence, satellite internet and other technologies, continue to advance system iteration and upgrading, and promote the healthy and orderly development of the BeiDou industry.

China will seek to enhance the system's applications in terms of service coverage and quality and contribute to global governance in satellite navigation, Zhang noted.

The BeiDou system benefits not only the Chinese people but also people around the world. The BDS has been providing stable and reliable positioning, navigation and timing services to users worldwide with its continuously improving performances and service quality, as well as its steadily expanding application scenarios and scale, according to Zhang.

The BDS has been used in a wide range of fields, including transportation, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, hydrological monitoring, meteorological forecasting and disaster relief.

About 900 people, including Chinese and foreign experts and scholars, business leaders, government officials and representatives of international organizations, attended the summit's opening ceremony.

The Chinese vice premier also met with Prime Minister of Madagascar Mamitiana Rajaonarison prior to the opening ceremony.

Zhang said that China stands ready to work with Madagascar to fully implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries and the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit in 2024.

Rajaonarison reiterated Madagascar's adherence to the one-China principle, adding his country is willing to deepen practical cooperation with China in various fields.

China to further improve BeiDou tech innovation: vice premier

Role models in the field of emergency management and loyal guards in the firefighting sector received rewards at a national commendation conference in Beijing Thursday.

Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and premier of the State Council, met with and congratulated the representatives.

Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, attended the conference and delivered a speech.

In his address, Zhang called on the national emergency management system to uphold the principle of putting people and their lives first, and better safeguard people's lives and property, as well as overall social stability.

He stressed the need to improve risk and hazard identification and mitigation, and strengthen emergency response and rescue capabilities.

He also called for strengthening the CPC's overall leadership over emergency management personnel and staying committed to strengthening full and rigorous Party self-governance.

Eight first-class hero models and 19 second-class hero models, 99 advanced units and 197 advanced individuals, as well as 20 loyal guards in firefighting, were commended at the conference. Separately, 118 advanced units and 157 advanced individuals were recognized under a national firefighting award.

China holds conference to commend emergency management role models, loyal guards in firefighting