A model of China's Beidou satellite navigation system on display during the 20th China Beijing International High-tech Expo held in June. Photo: AFP
A model of China's Beidou satellite navigation system on display during the 20th China Beijing International High-tech Expo held in June. Photo: AFP

An additional two groups of China’s BeiDou-3 satellites will be launched in the coming months, reports Asia Pacific Daily, as part of efforts to provide service to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

A total of 18 of the satellites is expected to be sent into space through next year, according to the report.

The launch marks another step towards achieving China’s goal of building a complete global satellite navigation system to meet needs of national security, as well as economic and social development.