China will establish its own GNSS global navigation system by 2020 by launching about 12 to 14 satellites in the next few years, Chinese state media reported last week.

The navigation and positioning satellite is essential for a country in the development of economy and national defence, officials said.

By the end of 2020, China aims to have more than 30 satellites around the world.

The most popular use of the global satellite navigation system is in the in-car navigation equipment, officials said, but it is widely accepted that the main reason for the network is for defence purposes.

Currently the only active network of satellites is owned and operated by the USA. Europe is also developing a GNSS system, known as Galileo. India and Russia also have programs underway.