"At the first stage — until 2020 — [it is planned] to create strategic aviation, proceed with the construction of the strategic aviation's structure, which will have integrated capabilities in the air and outer space and balanced capabilities both in defensive and offensive operations," the statement said.
According to the statement, the fourth-generation armament will form the basis for the new system.
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The third stage of the plan provides for the creation of a world-class air force by around the 2050s that would reflect China's status as one of the world's most powerful nations.
On November 2, China successfully launched the BeiDou-3 satellite, the 41st satellite to join the nation's BeiDou navigation system, atop the Long March 3B carrier rocket, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) reported.
