China has launched a new batch of satellites for its national internet.

From the Wenchang base, a Long March-5B rocket launched the eighth batch of satellites for the "Guowang" constellation. This strategic operation positions Beijing in the global space connectivity challenge, directly competing with projects like Starlink.

China has taken another significant step in its ambitious strategy for space dominance. From the Wenchang launch base in the island province of Hainan, a powerful Long March-5B rocket successfully launched a new batch of satellites for the national internet constellation . According to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, the launch, which took place at 2:43 p.m. Beijing time, is the latest in a series of missions aimed at a clear goal: providing global connectivity and establishing an independent space infrastructure .

This group of satellites is the eighth of its kind to form the national internet constellation, a large-scale project known as Guowang ("National Internet") . The mission highlighted the efficiency and maturity of China's space program, marking the 588th successful mission for the Long March series of rockets.

The launch was carried out using the Long March-5B carrier rocket, China's most powerful heavy-lift rocket, capable of carrying large payloads into low Earth orbit . Aboard the rocket, a Yuanzheng-2 (Expedition-2) upper platform was tasked with deploying the satellites precisely into their pre-established orbit . The choice of the Wenchang base is not accidental: its coastal location on Hainan Island allows it to best exploit the Earth's rotation speed, maximizing the efficiency of launches to equatorial orbits.

The Guowang project is a direct response to growing competition in the satellite internet sector, currently dominated by Western players like SpaceX's Starlink. China is investing heavily to create a parallel and independent network, aiming to provide connectivity services worldwide, reducing dependence on infrastructure controlled by other nations and consolidating its technological and geopolitical influence .

A country's ability to develop and maintain its own space communications network has become a key indicator of its technological sovereignty. This latest launch is not only a demonstration of engineering prowess, but also a clear signal of China's long-term ambitions.

Cover image credits (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)