China decouples from US in space with 2020 'GPS' completion

70% of Chinese smartphones now compatible with Beidou

A model of the Beidou Satellite Navigation System: China is offering the services of Beidou to countries in ASEAN, South Asia, Africa and East Europe, creating a new bloc of friends. © Xinhua

SHUNSUKE TABETA, Nikkei staff writer

December 28, 2019 03:03 JST

BEIJING -- China announced Friday that it is just months away from completing its Beidou satellite-based positioning system as it moves to reduce its reliance on America's GPS in both in telecommunications and for its military.