File photo of a model of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System.Photo:Xinhua

The BeiDou Satellite Navigation System (BDS), China's domestically developed global satellite navigation system, has been accepted by the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), following an annex of an international convention including the standard and recommended measures of the BDS, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

BDS' technical standards and recommended measures have been added to the ICAO's existing standard documents in Annex 10 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, according to the CAAC.

The ICAO's recognition demonstrates that the BDS is fully capable of providing safe, accurate and reliable communication and navigation services for the global civil aviation industry, Wang Yanan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Thursday. 

The CAAC submitted an application in 2010 for the BDS to be added to the ICAO standard. The assessment period took more than 10 years and was facilitated by experts from China's top institutes and universities. 

As one of four global satellite navigation systems recognized by the UN, BDS has served more than 200 countries and regions to date. The US-developed Global Positioning System (GPS) now has a market share of more than 90 percent, said Wang. 

"The recognition of BDS will provide more options for the international civil aviation sector aside from GPS. Aircraft can access BDS by simply installing a signal receiving module, which means that BDS may not have to deal with issues of compatibility," said Wang. 

A plane can have both systems installed and shift automatically based on different situations. 

In addition, as the US is getting involved in more geopolitical conflicts, it may change the accuracy or cut the GPS signals in some regions without notice, and global civil aviation will be disrupted, said Wang. 

"On such occasions, BDS will be a secure choice for international aircraft operators, plus it is affordable and convenient. The global civil aviation industry has no reason to reject it," Wang noted.

Global Times