Beidou system to meet civilian needs

BEIJING - China's homegrown Beidou Navigation Satellite System is designed to meet diversified civilian needs, said National Defense Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun Wednesday.

"As is known to all, all international navigation satellite systems are designed for dual military and civilian use," said Yang, adding that "some people" have been overly worried.

China's development of the Beidou system is mainly for civilian needs, while it will also be conducive to the building up of national defense, Yang said.

China has been committed to have the Beidou system be compatible and interoperable with other navigation systems, Yang said.

The Beidou Navigation Satellite System began providing initial positioning, navigation and timing operational services to China and its surrounding areas from Tuesday.