CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -China on November 4, 2022 outlined plans to further expand the global reach of its home-grown Beidou satellite navigation system, billed as its alternative to America’s Global Positioning System (GPS).

Detailed explanation-2: -More than 120 countries - including Pakistan and Thailand - are using China’s Beidou system for purposes such as monitoring traffic at ports or guiding rescue operations, the analyst said.

Detailed explanation-3: -BeiDou does not pose a security threat for American users because the United States will not allow BeiDou ground stations in its territory; however, for nations participating in China’s BRI and taking advantage of the additional capability that ground stations offer, security is a concern.

Detailed explanation-4: -The China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, another institute owned by CASC, provided the launch vehicle for the mission. Zhongxing 19 was China’s 49th launch of 2022.