Southern Daily:

With the BeiDou-3 global navigation satellite system now operational, what is the current operating status of its satellites? Are there any new plans for further satellite launches to expand the existing BeiDou navigation constellation? Thank you.

Ran Chengqi:

As of now, we have a total of 45 satellites in orbit to provide services, including the BeiDou-3 satellites in orbit and the original BeiDou-2 satellites, which have been in service for an extended period of time, so the system has been functioning very well. Even in such a case, we have to continue to ensure stable operation and make performance improvements to the system. Based on that, we will make efficient use of the satellites in orbit and coordinate with ground systems. At the same time, we will actively promote the construction of a backup satellite system to further ensure the reliability of the system. According to our schedule, we have arranged the production and development of a backup satellite system, including three to five satellites, to be launched next year. We will further strengthen the construction of the constellation to ensure the stable operation of the system. As a major country, China will deliver on our promise of providing world-class services to the rest of the world. 

On this basis, we will further develop the next-generation BDS. We haven't given it a name yet, but it will likely be Beidou-4. It should be better than Beidou-3, with enhanced system performance. At the same time, we need to further integrate it with emerging technologies, such as mobile communications, low earth orbit communications, traditional inertial navigation, and so on. The technologies should be deeply integrated. The next generation will be a more ubiquitous, more intelligent, and more integrated. You may feel the three "mores" are very broad and vague, but in fact, to put it simply, BDS is still the core, and we will incorporate all the emerging technologies related to space-time information into this system, developing it synchronously at a faster speed. Our projected goal is to fully build this space-time system by 2035. By then, we hope that Beidou, China's time-space system, will be everywhere, including underwater, on the ground, indoors, in the air, in deep space, or even in distant outer space. Simply put, Beidou will provide you with safe and reliable space-time technology anywhere anytime. This is our overall consideration for development. Thank you.