A Chinese satellite navigation network created to eventually compete with America’s Global Positioning System has started offering services to Asian users outside the country. The network’s spokesman, Ran Chengqi, said in a press briefing that the Beidou system will offer services including positioning, navigation, time and text messaging, and is expected to generate a 400 billion yuan (US $63 billion) annually. China has long been wary of relying on the US-dominant GPS network, fearing that Washington might take the system offline in a conflict or an emergency.—AP