On January 18, 2011, the China State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping released its official online mapping system with the English “Map World.” This project seeks to establish a “Chinese Brand” in the online GIS (Geographic Information System) services field. It is considered part of the “Digital China” initiative. The total amount of data in the system is 30TB, which includes 3 billion “tiles” of digital maps. The Bureau admitted that the Map World system still has problems with access, performance, and stability. It also lacks some “subject information.” Satellite images also have precision and foreign supply issues. The government is determined to firmly promote this system.
Source: Xinhua, January 18, 2011
http://news.xinhuanet.com/2011-01/18/c_12995918.htm