The 2024 Shanghai Space Information Conference took place in East China's Shanghai on Jan 23 – bringing together over 10 experts, including academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

The primary focus of the event was to discuss the high-quality development of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, which plays a crucial role in China's civilian, technological and military sectors.

During the conference, the Shanghai municipal government outlined a three-year action plan to enhance policies related to the development of commercial aerospace.

The overarching objective is to position Shanghai as a key player in the space information industry. The plan aims to leverage the rapid growth of commercial aerospace, focusing on creating innovative chains – in terms of industry, data, application, capital and talent – within the space information sector.

Specific targets include boosting capabilities in rocket development and launching, advancing key technologies in space transportation systems, implementing digital transformation demonstration applications and optimizing the spatial layout with a "One Core and Two Wings" strategy.

By 2025, Shanghai aims to achieve mass space production capabilities, with an annual output of 50 commercial rockets and 600 commercial satellites.

The application of space information technologies, particularly Beidou navigation, is expected to significantly contribute to the digital transformation of the economy, daily life and governance in the region.