China's Low-Earth-Orbit Satellite Network Impacts the Global South Market

Japan's Sankei Shimbun: China's "Starlink" Hits the Global South Market

Japan's Sankei Shimbun reported on July 9 that China is competing for the market of emerging countries through its low-Earth-orbit satellite network program. Ken Nakamura, director of the Cabinet Satellite Information Center, pointed out that China provides independent internet services to countries in the Global South at a low price, aiming to replace the leading position of SpaceX's Starlink. Data shows that after the full activation of China's Beidou satellite positioning system in 2020, there were 50 satellites in orbit, exceeding the U.S. GPS satellite scale of about 30. Nakamura emphasized that if the performance accuracy is comparable, China's space development capabilities "cannot be ignored." He also warned that China is enhancing its anti-satellite warfare capabilities, including deploying anti-satellite missiles and ground-based laser weapons, to strengthen its ability to attack space assets.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837205661873419/

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