China is considering the development of its own global satellite navigation system, which will include 30 satellites and be complete by 2020.

Shenzhou spaceships former chief designer Qi Faren said that China would launch 12 to 14 satellites from 2011-2015.

In 2000, China developed its indigenous satellite navigation system and set up a regional satellite navigation system after launching three Beidou geostationary satellites between October 2000 and May 2003.

Faren said the Beidou-1 system was not able to meet the growing demand, so a better functioning Beidou-2 regional and global navigation system would be developed in two stages.

The Beidou-2 system will be the China-made GPS that can be used wherever the US GPS operates, he said.

The system will be used to forecast earthquakes, define borders more precisely, guide lost drivers and ensure accurate military operations, according to Xinhua.