On May 18, 2025, the “2025 China Satellite Navigation and Location-Based Services Industry Development White Paper” was released. It revealed the rapid evolution and extensive industrial application of China’s satellite positioning technology—particularly the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). In 2024, the industry’s total output reached 575.8 billion yuan (approximately 11.5 trillion yen), a 7.39% increase year-on-year. This growth rate and scale indicate not just the enhancement of domestic infrastructure, but also an expanding influence in the global market.
Expanding Applications of BeiDou: From Transportation and Power to Consumer Sectors
BeiDou’s strengths lie in its “high precision,” “high reliability,” and “instantaneity.” These capabilities are already yielding results in the following areas:
- Transportation and Logistics
Around 13.5 million BeiDou-enabled terminals are deployed across road operations, parcel delivery, and railways. Notably, in port operations, AGVs (automated guided vehicles) using BeiDou have improved operational efficiency by 25%, promoting the sophistication of logistics.
- Electric Power Industry
BeiDou is installed in over 500,000 smart terminals, contributing to the automation and efficiency of power grid inspection and maintenance. It is also advancing the “visualization of risks.”
- Mass Consumption
Integration into smartphones and wearable devices is progressing, making “high-precision positioning for everyday use” a reality.
China’s Patent Strategy and Standardization Leadership: The Significance of 129,000 Patents
According to the white paper, cumulative patent applications related to satellite positioning systems have reached 129,000—the highest in the world. This can be interpreted as the construction of an “IP wall” aimed at securing technological hegemony and strengthening rule-setting capabilities.
Furthermore, BeiDou has already been incorporated into the standards of 11 international organizations, positioning it as a core component of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This development is not only a mark of technological trust but also a form of “geopolitical leverage” in diplomacy and trade.
Low-Altitude Economy × BeiDou = The Future Engine of Economic Growth
The white paper notes that China’s “low-altitude economy” has already reached a scale of 500 billion yuan, and is projected to grow to 2 trillion yuan (approximately 40 trillion yen) by 2030. In fields such as drones, air taxis, and low-altitude logistics, BeiDou’s high-precision positioning will serve as a foundational infrastructure.
Global Expansion and the Influence of the China Model
The establishment of BeiDou CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Station) base stations in over 30 African countries signals that China’s positioning technology is not merely an export of tools, but a “model export” linked with development aid. This aligns with China’s international strategy, particularly its Belt and Road Initiative.
BeiDou Represents More Than Precision—It Embodies Strategic Sophistication
The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System is not just a technological triumph; it is the culmination of a national strategy that integrates industry, policy, diplomacy, and standardization in a comprehensive manner.
Looking ahead, how will BeiDou coexist, compete, or collaborate with other GNSS technologies from countries and private sectors? For Japan and Western nations, this is a development that cannot be ignored.