Tada in Hong Kong could cost less than Uber, but longer wait time
By Harvey KongJiang Chuqin
A test of Singapore-based ride-hailing operator Tada, newly launched in Hong Kong, suggests it could cost less than market leader Uber but might have longer waiting times, even as both services remain illegal.
The Post invited a lawmaker to try the ride booked through the new operator, during which the driver conceded that he did not possess a hire-car permit, exploiting the same loophole that allows Uber to operate illegally.
Asked about the absence of hire-car permits among its drivers, Tada told the Post on the first day of its operations that it was following “market practices” and said the early interest “showed the value of offering a diverse set of commuting choices to Hong Kong residents”.
Tada began operating in the city on Thursday and allows customers to pay by cash or credit card in its beta launch covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the airport.
It touts a zero-commission model for drivers, although the Post found it charges a fixed fee of HK$3 (39 US cents) for rides that cost over HK$60 and the same amount each time a driver withdraws his earnings from the company.
The app allows passengers to hire both private vehicles and taxis.
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By Harvey KongJiang Chuqin
A test of Singapore-based ride-hailing operator Tada, newly launched in Hong Kong, suggests it could cost less than market leader Uber but might have longer waiting times, even as both services remain illegal.
The Post invited a lawmaker to try the ride booked through the new operator, during which the driver conceded that he did not possess a hire-car permit, exploiting the same loophole that allows Uber to operate illegally.
Asked about the absence of hire-car permits among its drivers, Tada told the Post on the first day of its operations that it was following “market practices” and said the early interest “showed the value of offering a diverse set of commuting choices to Hong Kong residents”.
Tada began operating in the city on Thursday and allows customers to pay by cash or credit card in its beta launch covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the airport.
It touts a zero-commission model for drivers, although the Post found it charges a fixed fee of HK$3 (39 US cents) for rides that cost over HK$60 and the same amount each time a driver withdraws his earnings from the company.
The app allows passengers to hire both private vehicles and taxis.
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New generative AI services slow in China as regulators approve 64 more apps for release
By Ben Jiang
China has approved 64 generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) services for release in Beijing’s latest regulatory approvals, making it the smallest of the three batches to be given the go-ahead this year, in a fresh sign that the domestic AI market is becoming saturated.
The November approvals have gone to a diverse group of products and applications, spanning a variety of industries, according to a document published by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the national internet watchdog. Licences have been granted to GenAI models for legal services, medical research, educational tech and online gaming, among other use cases.
China’s market for GenAI – algorithms that create new content in the form of text, images, audio and video – has been rife with competition in the two years since OpenAI launched ChatGPT, as the country’s Big Tech firms and start-ups rushed into the market with their own AI models and services.
To be released to the Chinese public, a GenAI model must receive the green light from Beijing under the country’s licensing system. All 252 approved GenAI services so far are from domestic companies.
Among the tech giants to receive approval in this new batch are Tencent Holdings, for an AI-enhanced search system, and NetEase, for a sales and marketing system under its e-commerce unit.
The regulator also approved two video-creation tools from Beijing-based Kuaishou Technology, rival to ByteDance’s short-video platform Douyin, and Damo Academy, a research institution under e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
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By Ben Jiang
China has approved 64 generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) services for release in Beijing’s latest regulatory approvals, making it the smallest of the three batches to be given the go-ahead this year, in a fresh sign that the domestic AI market is becoming saturated.
The November approvals have gone to a diverse group of products and applications, spanning a variety of industries, according to a document published by the Cyberspace Administration of China, the national internet watchdog. Licences have been granted to GenAI models for legal services, medical research, educational tech and online gaming, among other use cases.
China’s market for GenAI – algorithms that create new content in the form of text, images, audio and video – has been rife with competition in the two years since OpenAI launched ChatGPT, as the country’s Big Tech firms and start-ups rushed into the market with their own AI models and services.
To be released to the Chinese public, a GenAI model must receive the green light from Beijing under the country’s licensing system. All 252 approved GenAI services so far are from domestic companies.
Among the tech giants to receive approval in this new batch are Tencent Holdings, for an AI-enhanced search system, and NetEase, for a sales and marketing system under its e-commerce unit.
The regulator also approved two video-creation tools from Beijing-based Kuaishou Technology, rival to ByteDance’s short-video platform Douyin, and Damo Academy, a research institution under e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post.
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44% of businesses have negative economic outlook for Hong Kong, poll finds
By Fan Chen
About 44 per cent of businesses have a negative economic outlook for Hong Kong for the next 12 months, the highest level in five years, according to a survey by one of the city’s most prominent commerce groups.
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce released the findings of its annual survey on Thursday, after interviewing 219 respondents from November 12 to 26. Research started just days before Donald Trump clinched the US presidential election.
Patrick Yeung Wai-tim, the business group’s CEO, said: “Trump is famous for not deciding which move to make until the very end a lot of the time … Increased geopolitical uncertainty has led companies to adopt a wait-and-see approach.”
The poll found that 44.3 per cent of respondents had a negative outlook on Hong Kong’s business situation, surpassing the previous high point of 40.1 per cent recorded in the 2020 survey.
Major challenges cited by businesses included the decline in local consumption, high operating costs and external risks such as China’s economic slowdown and the sluggish global economy.
According to the survey, the number of companies that planned to increase their investment in Hong Kong over the 12 months stood at about 14 per cent, a drop from last year’s figure of 18 per cent.
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By Fan Chen
About 44 per cent of businesses have a negative economic outlook for Hong Kong for the next 12 months, the highest level in five years, according to a survey by one of the city’s most prominent commerce groups.
The Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce released the findings of its annual survey on Thursday, after interviewing 219 respondents from November 12 to 26. Research started just days before Donald Trump clinched the US presidential election.
Patrick Yeung Wai-tim, the business group’s CEO, said: “Trump is famous for not deciding which move to make until the very end a lot of the time … Increased geopolitical uncertainty has led companies to adopt a wait-and-see approach.”
The poll found that 44.3 per cent of respondents had a negative outlook on Hong Kong’s business situation, surpassing the previous high point of 40.1 per cent recorded in the 2020 survey.
Major challenges cited by businesses included the decline in local consumption, high operating costs and external risks such as China’s economic slowdown and the sluggish global economy.
According to the survey, the number of companies that planned to increase their investment in Hong Kong over the 12 months stood at about 14 per cent, a drop from last year’s figure of 18 per cent.
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Tencent boss Pony Ma praises China’s economic policy, stimulus for private sector
By Iris Deng
Pony Ma Huateng, the founder and CEO of Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings, published a rare commentary in an official newspaper on Thursday, praising Beijing’s recent economic policies for supporting the private sector.
The stimulus policies that Beijing started implementing in late September have shown private enterprises the central government’s “strong determination” to sustain its push for economic recovery by focusing on the business pain points and responding comprehensively to market demands, Ma wrote in a piece published in People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party.
The package of regulatory and legislative measures “has truly formed policy synergy, allowing enterprises to concentrate more on doing their main business well and developing with reassurance”, wrote Ma, who has largely kept a low profile in recent years.
Ma offered his remarks alongside those of other Chinese business leaders – including Liu Yonghao, chairman of agribusiness company New Hope Group, and Zhang Xinghai, chairman of carmaker Seres Group – commenting on how the private sector can further drive the country’s economic development.
Beijing has implemented a series of stimulus packages since September that have lifted the market and raised growth projections, while sparking anticipation of further measures to inject vitality into the world’s second-largest economy.
The readout of a Politburo meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping on Monday has fanned speculation that next year Beijing is likely to deliver more interest-rate cuts, increase the government’s borrowing limit and take more steps to stabilise the beleaguered property market.
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By Iris Deng
Pony Ma Huateng, the founder and CEO of Chinese tech giant Tencent Holdings, published a rare commentary in an official newspaper on Thursday, praising Beijing’s recent economic policies for supporting the private sector.
The stimulus policies that Beijing started implementing in late September have shown private enterprises the central government’s “strong determination” to sustain its push for economic recovery by focusing on the business pain points and responding comprehensively to market demands, Ma wrote in a piece published in People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the ruling Communist Party.
The package of regulatory and legislative measures “has truly formed policy synergy, allowing enterprises to concentrate more on doing their main business well and developing with reassurance”, wrote Ma, who has largely kept a low profile in recent years.
Ma offered his remarks alongside those of other Chinese business leaders – including Liu Yonghao, chairman of agribusiness company New Hope Group, and Zhang Xinghai, chairman of carmaker Seres Group – commenting on how the private sector can further drive the country’s economic development.
Beijing has implemented a series of stimulus packages since September that have lifted the market and raised growth projections, while sparking anticipation of further measures to inject vitality into the world’s second-largest economy.
The readout of a Politburo meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping on Monday has fanned speculation that next year Beijing is likely to deliver more interest-rate cuts, increase the government’s borrowing limit and take more steps to stabilise the beleaguered property market.
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HSBC’s charity arm continues decades of work lending helping hand to Hong Kong community
By Nick JonesKristie KoMorning Studio editors
The year’s end is often a time when people look back and take stock of their past achievements and the lessons they have learned. For some, it may mean recalling memories of discovering new talents and dreams, or taking pride in achieving something great for yourself or others. Often, such successes will have been achieved thanks to a helping hand.
Since its founding in 1865, HSBC has been committed to enhancing the social well-being of disadvantaged communities in the city it calls home. The establishment of The Hongkong Bank Foundation in 1981 reflected the bank’s deep commitment to the welfare of the city.
Philanthropic efforts have people at their core
The work of the foundation is focused on three core areas – elderly care, youth development and sustainability – showing the bank’s recognition of the progress the city has made and its vision for supporting both the near and long-term future of its needy community.
Over nearly four and a half decades, HSBC has supported more than 10,000 projects through its foundation, while distributing more than HK$2.6 billion (US$334 million) in grants to address community needs.
However, the bank’s philanthropic efforts go beyond mere financial support. At the heart of the foundation’s mission is a people-centric approach. Since 1993, the HSBC Volunteers Scheme – formerly known as the Wayfoong Volunteers Scheme – has contributed more than one million hours to help disadvantaged communities, mentor young people and respond to environmental issues.
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By Nick JonesKristie KoMorning Studio editors
The year’s end is often a time when people look back and take stock of their past achievements and the lessons they have learned. For some, it may mean recalling memories of discovering new talents and dreams, or taking pride in achieving something great for yourself or others. Often, such successes will have been achieved thanks to a helping hand.
Since its founding in 1865, HSBC has been committed to enhancing the social well-being of disadvantaged communities in the city it calls home. The establishment of The Hongkong Bank Foundation in 1981 reflected the bank’s deep commitment to the welfare of the city.
Philanthropic efforts have people at their core
The work of the foundation is focused on three core areas – elderly care, youth development and sustainability – showing the bank’s recognition of the progress the city has made and its vision for supporting both the near and long-term future of its needy community.
Over nearly four and a half decades, HSBC has supported more than 10,000 projects through its foundation, while distributing more than HK$2.6 billion (US$334 million) in grants to address community needs.
However, the bank’s philanthropic efforts go beyond mere financial support. At the heart of the foundation’s mission is a people-centric approach. Since 1993, the HSBC Volunteers Scheme – formerly known as the Wayfoong Volunteers Scheme – has contributed more than one million hours to help disadvantaged communities, mentor young people and respond to environmental issues.
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Seoul must stop using North Korea threat as an excuse to suppress democracy
By Gabriela Bernal
The unthinkable has happened in South Korea – its president declared martial law in a move that evoked traumas from the past. According to President Yoon Suk-yeol, the move was necessary due to the presence of “anti-state” and “pro-North Korean” elements among opposition politicians. Although the decree lasted only six hours, it was enough to shake the country to its core.
The last time martial law was declared in the country was over four decades ago. The path to democracy was a hard-won battle that stretched across generations.
While Article 77 of the Korean constitution gives the sitting president the power to declare martial law in response to the threat of war and other national emergencies, this power has been misused too often. Conservative forces have a long and bloody history of using the threat posed by North Korea as an excuse to quash dissent and remove checks and balances on the president.
Martial law has been declared some 16 times in the country’s history. The roots of such policies date back to 1948, when the Korean republic was established and president Syngman Rhee introduced the national security law, under which any pro-communist speech or activities were criminalised.
This law was used by the president – and his successors – to arrest, imprison and sometimes execute political opponents by accusing them of being communist or North Korea sympathisers.
Park Chung-hee did the same after he took power in a 1961 coup and declared martial law. He then declared martial law again in Seoul in 1964 to suppress growing student protests against the normalisation of relations with Japan.
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By Gabriela Bernal
The unthinkable has happened in South Korea – its president declared martial law in a move that evoked traumas from the past. According to President Yoon Suk-yeol, the move was necessary due to the presence of “anti-state” and “pro-North Korean” elements among opposition politicians. Although the decree lasted only six hours, it was enough to shake the country to its core.
The last time martial law was declared in the country was over four decades ago. The path to democracy was a hard-won battle that stretched across generations.
While Article 77 of the Korean constitution gives the sitting president the power to declare martial law in response to the threat of war and other national emergencies, this power has been misused too often. Conservative forces have a long and bloody history of using the threat posed by North Korea as an excuse to quash dissent and remove checks and balances on the president.
Martial law has been declared some 16 times in the country’s history. The roots of such policies date back to 1948, when the Korean republic was established and president Syngman Rhee introduced the national security law, under which any pro-communist speech or activities were criminalised.
This law was used by the president – and his successors – to arrest, imprison and sometimes execute political opponents by accusing them of being communist or North Korea sympathisers.
Park Chung-hee did the same after he took power in a 1961 coup and declared martial law. He then declared martial law again in Seoul in 1964 to suppress growing student protests against the normalisation of relations with Japan.
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China’s massive Yiwu wholesale hub at the forefront of trade-reform efforts
By Kandy Wong
The world’s largest wholesale hub for small manufactured items is expected to be enhanced as a symbol for international trade following the State Council’s approval of plans to more comprehensively deepen and reform its development.
Yiwu, a small city in China’s Zhejiang province known for funnelling huge quantities of dollar-store products to the West, will undergo efforts to resolve deep-rooted institutional problems, strengthen the building of integrated standards of domestic and foreign trade, and promote greater cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Specific items on the deepening-development list included maximising the function of tariff-free zones, reforming procurement systems, proactively connecting to international trade standards, improving management of export companies’ categorisation, and building 100 good-quality international trade corporations.
“The more intensive development this time will bring more opportunities to Yiwu,” Zhu Keli, the founding head of the International New Economic Research Institute, was quoted as saying by the Shanghai Securities News. “Yiwu can go deep into reforming and innovating the area of international trade, improve its trade structure and enhance quality.”
Yiwu saw its total trade value reach 560.2 billion yuan (US$77 billion) in the first 10 months of this year – 18.3 per cent more than the same period last year, according to customs figures.
The deepening-development plan will also support the high-quality development of China-Europe express trains to enhance the circulation of goods.
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By Kandy Wong
The world’s largest wholesale hub for small manufactured items is expected to be enhanced as a symbol for international trade following the State Council’s approval of plans to more comprehensively deepen and reform its development.
Yiwu, a small city in China’s Zhejiang province known for funnelling huge quantities of dollar-store products to the West, will undergo efforts to resolve deep-rooted institutional problems, strengthen the building of integrated standards of domestic and foreign trade, and promote greater cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Specific items on the deepening-development list included maximising the function of tariff-free zones, reforming procurement systems, proactively connecting to international trade standards, improving management of export companies’ categorisation, and building 100 good-quality international trade corporations.
“The more intensive development this time will bring more opportunities to Yiwu,” Zhu Keli, the founding head of the International New Economic Research Institute, was quoted as saying by the Shanghai Securities News. “Yiwu can go deep into reforming and innovating the area of international trade, improve its trade structure and enhance quality.”
Yiwu saw its total trade value reach 560.2 billion yuan (US$77 billion) in the first 10 months of this year – 18.3 per cent more than the same period last year, according to customs figures.
The deepening-development plan will also support the high-quality development of China-Europe express trains to enhance the circulation of goods.
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New Zealand to tweak ‘golden visa’ rules to reel in more rich investors
By Bloomberg
New Zealand’s government is planning changes to its so-called “golden visa” programme to attract more wealthy immigrants who invest in the country.
The Active Investor Plus Visa that historically lured rich individuals to New Zealand and raked in an average NZ$1 billion (US$580 million) a year has languished after rule changes in 2022. Just 35 applications have been fully approved in the past two years, equating to NZ$352 million of nominated investment funds, according to data from Immigration New Zealand.
“We are conscious that the last government changed those settings and we saw a marked decline in the number of investors,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis said in an interview on Thursday in Wellington. “You can expect to see announcements from us on that in the coming weeks.”
Willis said the centre-right government has already progressed reforms to speed up overseas investment applications and will change legislation next year to emphasise that the nation requires foreign capital to achieve its economic objectives. She said investor migrants bring much more than just money.
“It’s also the networks, the expertise, the experience, the ideas that they bring with them,” Willis said. “There are many examples throughout the country where investor migrants, while they may make initial investments, then go on to make other investments and become more engaged in the economy in a range of ways which are helpful.”
Under current settings, applicants for the visa must commit to at least NZ$5 million of direct investment or NZ$15 million of passive investment such as in listed equities. That compared to a NZ$3 million starting threshold under the old criteria. Bonds and property, historically popular investments in New Zealand, are no longer eligible.
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By Bloomberg
New Zealand’s government is planning changes to its so-called “golden visa” programme to attract more wealthy immigrants who invest in the country.
The Active Investor Plus Visa that historically lured rich individuals to New Zealand and raked in an average NZ$1 billion (US$580 million) a year has languished after rule changes in 2022. Just 35 applications have been fully approved in the past two years, equating to NZ$352 million of nominated investment funds, according to data from Immigration New Zealand.
“We are conscious that the last government changed those settings and we saw a marked decline in the number of investors,” Finance Minister Nicola Willis said in an interview on Thursday in Wellington. “You can expect to see announcements from us on that in the coming weeks.”
Willis said the centre-right government has already progressed reforms to speed up overseas investment applications and will change legislation next year to emphasise that the nation requires foreign capital to achieve its economic objectives. She said investor migrants bring much more than just money.
“It’s also the networks, the expertise, the experience, the ideas that they bring with them,” Willis said. “There are many examples throughout the country where investor migrants, while they may make initial investments, then go on to make other investments and become more engaged in the economy in a range of ways which are helpful.”
Under current settings, applicants for the visa must commit to at least NZ$5 million of direct investment or NZ$15 million of passive investment such as in listed equities. That compared to a NZ$3 million starting threshold under the old criteria. Bonds and property, historically popular investments in New Zealand, are no longer eligible.
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Will Chinese President Xi Jinping attend presidential inauguration at Trump’s invitation?
By Orange Wang
China appears unlikely to accept US president-elect Donald Trump’s invitation for the Chinese president Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month given diplomatic protocol and historical precedents.
There is no record of any Chinese heads of state joining a US presidential transition ceremony. Since becoming China’s paramount leader, Xi has never attended such events personally in foreign countries, instead sending a special representative or envoy.
Meanwhile, it would generally take rounds of preparation for a Chinese president to visit the United States, a process that could span several months.
In early November, shortly after winning the US election, Trump invited Xi to attend the ceremony scheduled for January 20, CBS News reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources.
However, Washington records dating back to 1874 show that no foreign heads of state have been involved in a US presidential inauguration, although it is common for foreign dignitaries and diplomats to attend, a practice Beijing has also adopted.
For instance, then-Chinese ambassador to the US Zhou Wenzhong attended Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009 as the Chinese government’s representative.
But in 2021, Beijing only stated that the Chinese embassy had received an invitation to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration and “extended congratulations” to him without confirming whether it had sent any officials.
“I noticed that the US government has reiterated many times that it only invites diplomatic envoys posted in the country to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony, and does not invite or encourage other countries or regions to send delegations to the ceremony,” said Hua Chunying, then a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry and now vice-foreign minister, in 2017 when asked about Trump’s first presidential inauguration.
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By Orange Wang
China appears unlikely to accept US president-elect Donald Trump’s invitation for the Chinese president Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month given diplomatic protocol and historical precedents.
There is no record of any Chinese heads of state joining a US presidential transition ceremony. Since becoming China’s paramount leader, Xi has never attended such events personally in foreign countries, instead sending a special representative or envoy.
Meanwhile, it would generally take rounds of preparation for a Chinese president to visit the United States, a process that could span several months.
In early November, shortly after winning the US election, Trump invited Xi to attend the ceremony scheduled for January 20, CBS News reported on Wednesday, citing multiple sources.
However, Washington records dating back to 1874 show that no foreign heads of state have been involved in a US presidential inauguration, although it is common for foreign dignitaries and diplomats to attend, a practice Beijing has also adopted.
For instance, then-Chinese ambassador to the US Zhou Wenzhong attended Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009 as the Chinese government’s representative.
But in 2021, Beijing only stated that the Chinese embassy had received an invitation to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration and “extended congratulations” to him without confirming whether it had sent any officials.
“I noticed that the US government has reiterated many times that it only invites diplomatic envoys posted in the country to attend the presidential inauguration ceremony, and does not invite or encourage other countries or regions to send delegations to the ceremony,” said Hua Chunying, then a spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry and now vice-foreign minister, in 2017 when asked about Trump’s first presidential inauguration.
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Singapore police explain why they did not arrest Chinese fugitive on Interpol Red Notice
By Jean Iau
Authorities in Singapore do not have sufficient evidence that a Singapore-based Chinese fugitive who was arrested in Indonesia had committed money-laundering offences, the local police said, explaining why his detention occurred in Batam rather than within the city state.
The police’s comments were in reference to the case of Yan Zhenxing, a Chinese national in his early 40s who is a Singapore permanent resident and on Interpol’s Red Notice list.
Yan was detained on December 2 by Indonesian authorities after he arrived at a ferry terminal on the resort island of Batam, located some 23km (14 miles) southeast of Singapore, having travelled there for a holiday, Indonesian media reported.
The case has sparked discussion around why Yan was not arrested in Singapore but only when he travelled to Indonesia.
Responding to queries from This Week in Asia, the Singapore Police said on Thursday: “To date, we do not have enough evidence that Yan may have committed money-laundering offences under Singapore’s laws, that would allow us to commence formal investigations against him.”
When Yan was granted Singapore permanent residency, there were no Interpol Red Notices against him, they added.
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By Jean Iau
Authorities in Singapore do not have sufficient evidence that a Singapore-based Chinese fugitive who was arrested in Indonesia had committed money-laundering offences, the local police said, explaining why his detention occurred in Batam rather than within the city state.
The police’s comments were in reference to the case of Yan Zhenxing, a Chinese national in his early 40s who is a Singapore permanent resident and on Interpol’s Red Notice list.
Yan was detained on December 2 by Indonesian authorities after he arrived at a ferry terminal on the resort island of Batam, located some 23km (14 miles) southeast of Singapore, having travelled there for a holiday, Indonesian media reported.
The case has sparked discussion around why Yan was not arrested in Singapore but only when he travelled to Indonesia.
Responding to queries from This Week in Asia, the Singapore Police said on Thursday: “To date, we do not have enough evidence that Yan may have committed money-laundering offences under Singapore’s laws, that would allow us to commence formal investigations against him.”
When Yan was granted Singapore permanent residency, there were no Interpol Red Notices against him, they added.
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SpaceX and the 7 dwarves: Chinese space firms line up to enter reusable rocket race
By Ling Xin
Chinese space launch start-ups are racing to debut their reusable rockets next year, driven by the nation’s push to build internet megaconstellations in low-Earth orbit (LEO) in a challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink.
At least seven new private rockets, all featuring vertical recovery and reusability, are aiming to reach orbit in 2025 and compete for launch contracts to deploy tens of thousands of broadband satellites in the coming years.
Leading the charge is the Tianlong-3, a 71-metre, two-stage kerosene and liquid oxygen rocket being assembled by Space Pioneer in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, in eastern China.
Tianlong-3 is the second most powerful rocket developed in China, surpassed only by the Long March-5B. With a payload capacity of 17 tonnes for LEO, it is designed for batch satellite deployments and could carry 30 or more satellites per launch, Jiangsu Television reported on Sunday.
The rocket, which had an unexpected launch and crash during a static fire test in June, has incorporated a suite of advanced technologies, according to Liu Yang, an engineer at Space Pioneer.
“These technologies, including 3D-printed stainless steel engines and liquid nitrogen gasification pressurisation, were developed specifically to meet the ‘low-cost, high-reliability and high-frequency’ demands of internet satellite launches,” Liu told Jiangsu Television.
The first stage of Tianlong-3 is powered by nine Tianhuo-12 engines and can be used up to 10 times, according to the company’s website.
Hot on Tianlong-3’s heels is Zhuque-3, a medium-lift reusable rocket being developed by LandSpace in Huzhou, Zhejiang province. Zhuque-3 is the only one of the seven set to attempt both orbital insertion and first-stage recovery during its maiden flight next year.
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By Ling Xin
Chinese space launch start-ups are racing to debut their reusable rockets next year, driven by the nation’s push to build internet megaconstellations in low-Earth orbit (LEO) in a challenge to SpaceX’s Starlink.
At least seven new private rockets, all featuring vertical recovery and reusability, are aiming to reach orbit in 2025 and compete for launch contracts to deploy tens of thousands of broadband satellites in the coming years.
Leading the charge is the Tianlong-3, a 71-metre, two-stage kerosene and liquid oxygen rocket being assembled by Space Pioneer in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, in eastern China.
Tianlong-3 is the second most powerful rocket developed in China, surpassed only by the Long March-5B. With a payload capacity of 17 tonnes for LEO, it is designed for batch satellite deployments and could carry 30 or more satellites per launch, Jiangsu Television reported on Sunday.
The rocket, which had an unexpected launch and crash during a static fire test in June, has incorporated a suite of advanced technologies, according to Liu Yang, an engineer at Space Pioneer.
“These technologies, including 3D-printed stainless steel engines and liquid nitrogen gasification pressurisation, were developed specifically to meet the ‘low-cost, high-reliability and high-frequency’ demands of internet satellite launches,” Liu told Jiangsu Television.
The first stage of Tianlong-3 is powered by nine Tianhuo-12 engines and can be used up to 10 times, according to the company’s website.
Hot on Tianlong-3’s heels is Zhuque-3, a medium-lift reusable rocket being developed by LandSpace in Huzhou, Zhejiang province. Zhuque-3 is the only one of the seven set to attempt both orbital insertion and first-stage recovery during its maiden flight next year.
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