To further consolidate the nation's position in the world space industry and boost its space programs, China is aiming to building "world-class large space corporations" to provide a market-based mechanism of development.

A government white paper issued Thursday said China will "accelerate the building of world-class large space corporations" to pursue "more economic and social benefits."

With emphasis on telecommunications satellites, satellite telecommunications, satellite remote-sensing, satellite navigation and carrier rockets, China will vigorously construct a comprehensive chain of space industry covering satellite manufacturing, launching services, ground equipment production and operational services, said the document, titled China's Space Activities in 2006.

The Chinese government will increase input to the space industry, and at the same time encourage the establishment of a diverse, multi-channel space funding system, so as to guarantee the sustainable and stable development of the space industry, it said. China's space programs today is now solely funded by the government.

As an incentive to spur the domestic market growth, the document said China encourages satellite operation enterprises and application units to use Chinese satellites and satellite-application products, according to the white paper.

The government also pledges to strengthen the building of infrastructure facilities for developing, producing and experimenting with spacecraft and carrier rockets, and give support to key laboratories and engineering research centers of space science and technology, strengthen the work on informatization, intellectual property rights and standardization of space activities.

The most prestigious space company in the country is China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, officially established in 1999 as the main contractor for the Chinese space program. It has over 180 subordinate enterprises and institutions with nearly 100,000 employees in total.

Source: Xinhua