Russian state media outlet Sputnik News reported on May 18 that China’s BeiDou satellite-based radio navigation system has been recognized by the United Nations as a core Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) provider. BeiDou has been fully incorporated into the standards frameworks of 11 international bodies, including those for civil aviation, maritime services, and mobile communications. BeiDou-based services and products are now exported to more than 140 countries and regions.
On May 18, the China Satellite Navigation & Positioning Association released its 2025 White Paper on the Development of China’s Satellite Navigation and Location-Based Service (LBS) Industry. The report shows that, in 2024, China’s satellite-navigation and LBS industry, centered on BeiDou, generated a total output of RMB 575.8 billion (US$ 79 billion), a year-on-year increase of 7.39 percent.
Key figures for 2024 include:
- Total sales of satellite-navigation terminal products in China exceeded 410 million units.
- Smartphones with GNSS functionality: 294 million units shipped.
- In-vehicle navigation devices: 20 million units sold.
- Various monitoring and positioning terminals – including handheld, Internet of Things (IoT), wearables, automotive (including two-wheelers), high-precision, and shipborne devices – more than 120 million units.
- Cumulative shipments of BeiDou-compatible chips and modules (including those in smartphones) approached 2.3 billion units by the end of 2024.
- The total number of BeiDou-enabled terminals in use (again including smartphones) has surpassed 2 billion units.
Source: Sputnik, May 18, 2025
https://sputniknews.cn/20250518/1065550328.html