Includes bibliographical references (pages 10-14).
Summary
Since 1994 China has spent billions of dollars to develop a product that is already free: satellite navigation services provided globally by the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS). This report examines the objectives behind Beijing's decision to develop the Beidou system as an alternative to GPS, its efforts to build an industry around the system, and the effects this might have in security, economic, and diplomatic terms for the United States. As China nears its goal of providing global satellite navigation coverage by 2020 and growing numbers of Beidou-configured products enter the vast downstream market, considering these implications will become increasingly important.
Note
Description based on online resource; title from PDF title screen (USCC, viewed May 4, 2021).