1.China has completed its home-grown BeiDou Navigation(导航)Satellite System (BDS) with the successful launch of two more BDS-3 satellites, 19 in all, and has started providing services to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI)since the end of 2018. The BDS, which will compete against the US' Global Positioning System(GPS), will provide high-precision, reliable positioning, navigation and timing services anywhere in the world by the end of 2020.
The Belt and Road Initiative is an ambitious effort to improve regional cooperation and connectivity in a trans-continental range. The initiative aims to strengthen infrastructure(基础设施), trade, and investment links between China and some 65 other countries. It is also expected to increase Beijing's influence in these countries.
"This is a key step for the DDS developing from a Chinese home system to a regional and then a global navigation system said Yang Changfeng, chief designer of the BeiDou system. China plans to launch another 11 BDS-3 satellites between the end of 2018 and 2020. China developed the BDS through a unique technological approach, contributing Chinese wisdom to the theory and construction of international satellite navigation systems.
Altogether 18 BDS satellites have been sent into space in 2018, making this year the most intensive launch of the BDS satellites. They improved their work efficiency by reforming the management process. The number of satellite staff at the launch center has been reduced by nearly half, and the testing time before launch has been shortened by nearly a third. In the CAST production base in Beijing, several BDS satellites are being manufactured at the same time. They try to improve intelligent manufacturing capability, and cut down production times. Construction of the BDS-3 system has accelerated.
Once the BDS is fully completed, it will be the fourth global satellite navigation system after the US CPS system, Russia's GLONASS and the European Union's Galileo. India too, is building its navigational system called the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), with an operational name of NAVIC.
1.When can the BDS offer global services?
A.In 2018. B.In 2019. C.In 2020. D.In 2025.
2.What can the BDS do now?
A.Take the place of the CPS of the USA. B.Serve the Belt and Road Initiative.
C.Control the Belt and Road countries. D.Watch anyone anywhere in the world.
3.What does paragraph 4 mainly talk about?
A.the unique characters of the BUS. B.The efforts of the staff of the BDS.
C.The Chinese technology of the BUS. D.The difficulties the BDS has to deal with.
4.What can be the best title for the text?
A.China's BDS is approaching its goal step by step.
B.China's BDS has become the fourth global satellite navigation system.
C.China's BDS helps BRI increase Beijing's international influence.
D.The unique technological approach makes China's BUS outstanding.
