As launch preparations enter the final stage, the Long March-8 Y5 carrier rocket is transferred to the launch pad of the commercial space launch site on April 14, 2025 in Wenchang, South China's Hainan Province. Photo: VCG

South China's Hainan Province, host to the country's first commercial spacecraft launch site and also to the coastal national Wenchang spaceport, on Monday released a government document aimed at promoting the region into a crucial practice site for the building of new quality productive forces, with a focus on expanding the province's space industry.

The document outlines plans to accelerate the development of commercial space launch capabilities by benchmarking against leading global sites. It calls for methodically advancing the development of key commercial space infrastructure and innovation platforms. 

The province is directed to establish a commercial measurement, operation, and control system, alongside an innovative platform for rocket recovery and reuse. The goal is to incrementally build a reliable and stable framework for commercial space launch missions, enabling low-cost, frequent, secure, and sustainable commercial launches, read the document.

Additionally, the document calls for the development of the rocket, satellite, and data industries, and advocates for establishing commercial space development regulations for the Hainan Free Trade Port. 

The province is encouraged to strategically develop three key industrial zones of Wenchang International Aerospace City and foster a robust, comprehensive industrial cluster encompassing commercial launches, rocket and satellite production, and satellite applications. 

The province also aims to enhance the shared service platform for commercial space launches, draw in leading companies for critical rocket R&D and manufacturing, and promote the clustering of related upstream and downstream enterprises. 

The document also proposes establishing an international satellite advanced manufacturing center and a collaborative satellite-rocket R&D center, attracting leading satellite manufacturers, and supporting the development of integrated satellite design companies. 

Furthermore, the document outlines developing an "aerospace-plus" economic model to foster new business formats. It calls for accelerating the planning of innovative cultural and tourism projects, such as aerospace museums and science centers. The province is encouraged to support technological advancements in space breeding and selection, and environment testing. 

The document also promotes foundational innovations in space pharmaceuticals and advocates for implementing a low-altitude economic development strategy, encouraging cautious and active growth in the low-altitude economy.

China will promote integrated and clustered development of strategic emerging industries, launch pilot initiatives for large-scale application of new technologies, products, and scenarios, and promote steady development of commercial space, the low-altitude economy, and other emerging industries, according to the 2025 Government Work Report. 

Pang Zhihao, a senior space expert, told the Global Times on Monday that in terms of space industry development, Hainan has a unique geographic edge. Launching the same type of rocket from this low-latitude region can increase payload capacity by 10 percent to 15 percent. 

Additionally, its Wenchang Space Launch Site is coastal, offering advantages such as a wide launch azimuth, convenient maritime transport, and safe fallout zones, favorable for transporting large rockets and ensuring safety for both personnel and equipment. 

The existing launch sites and those under construction are also adding to such advantages, he said.

Pang noted that Hainan still has untapped potential. He added that Hainan can promote deep integration of aerospace with industries such as tourism, education, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. This includes developing aerospace tourism, innovating in space breeding and selection technologies, and exploring foundational innovations in space pharmaceuticals, generate new sources of economic growth.

Another major opportunity is global connectivity through the Hainan Free Trade Port, which could help export satellite data globally and expand market reach. The port also leverages favorable policies to boost cooperation with international aerospace organizations and companies, enhancing China's international influence, Pang added.