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China tech

China completes GPS rival Beidou with latest satellite launch

Beijing's decoupling from US moves forward in space ahead of Mars probe

The final satellite in the Beidou system was put into orbit on Tuesday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. (Photo courtesy of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System)

BEIJING -- China has completed Beidou, its answer to the Global Positioning System of satellites used to navigate everything from cars to bombs, advancing Beijing's effort to cut its reliance on American technology.

The final, 55th satellite in the Chinese system was put into orbit by a rocket that blasted off Tuesday from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, according to the China Satellite Navigation Office.

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