Beidou-3 global navigation satellite system (Beidou system) has been promoted and used in over half of the countries and regions worldwide since the launch of the service, and the scale application of Beidou has entered a critical development stage of marketization, industrialization and internationalization. The competition pressure of navigation services from the United States, Russia, and the European Union is increasing, as well as the risks faced by the system. Therefore, it is essential to actively addressing the risks regarding Beidou system global services, which is also significant for safeguarding national security and promoting the development of the Beidou system.

The risks regarding Beidou system global services refer to the various risks and challenges faced by governments, enterprises, researchers, and other entities when they conduct construction, operation, and maintenance of Beidou infrastructure, provide Beidou services, and carry out international activities such as overseas investment in Beidou industry, international trade of Beidou products and technologies, and cross-border transmission of satellite navigation data during the provision of Beidou system global services. Currently, Beidou system global services were launched not long ago, and its global market share is limited. The risks faced by the Beidou system global services are extensive, complex, diverse, and surging. They include political, economic, legal, and security risks from countries where Beidou services are provided, as well as competition risks from countries that have their own satellite navigation systems.

The classification of risks regarding satellite navigation global services has not yet been authoritatively defined, and it is a practical issue that requires systematic research. Based on the risk source classification method and the actual internationalization of the Beidou system, this study classifies the risks faced by Beidou system global services into five categories: national, strategic, market, security, and legal risks. The national risks mainly result from poor business environment, discriminatory treatment, and the overstretching and abuse of national security. The strategic risks are mainly risks in terms of strategic resources and strategic development, including striving for more frequency orbit, global monitoring, and data resources for the upgrade of the next generation of Beidou system in the international resource allocation, as well as clarifying the strategic objectives, positioning, and realization paths of Beidou system global services. The market risks are mainly due to the fact that the Beidou system is a latecomer system, thus facing risks such as user consumption inertia, intellectual property infringement, and insufficient competitiveness. The security risks come from the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Beidou system as well as the data transmission, infrastructure construction, and other aspects of services provision. The legal risks might result from domestic laws, foreign laws, or relevant international rules.

In response to the risks of Beidou system global services, the study suggests that China shall plan ahead for a risk response and prevention system, comprehensively enhance the security and safety protection of overseas interests of the Beidou system and the risk response capabilities of relevant entities, effectively prevent chain linkage of various risks, and safeguard the core interests of China’s satellite navigation industry development. First, we should strengthen the top-level planning for the risk response of Beidou system global services. We should incorporate the risk response of Beidou system global services into the overall layout of national development, clarify the strategic paths of the risk response, and proactively deploy strategic tasks. Second, to establish a comprehensive risk response system of Beidou system global services is a must. We shall perfect the system specifications for risk prevention, establish a coordination mechanism for prevention and control of risks, improve the risk assessment and emergency response, and strengthen the supervision and implementation of risk prevention of the Beidou system global services. Third, the relevant entities shall enhance their risk response capabilities. We shall improve the collection and sharing of risk information, enhance publicity and training on risk prevention, and improve relevant insurance, reinsurance, fund, and other risk protection systems. Fourth, it is necessary to strengthen the foundation of global risk response work of the Beidou system. We shall strengthen the construction of talent teams, focus on key and difficult issues in risk response, conduct theoretical, applied, and systematic research, as well as build a theoretical system for risk response of Beidou system global services in the new era.