The 2026 Wenchang International Aviation & Aerospace Forum, hosted by the Wenchang International Aerospace City Administration, opened in Wenchang, Hainan, on August 25. Under the theme “Rockets Return to the Free Trade Port, Satellites Take Off from the Aerospace City,” this year’s forum focused on reusable launch vehicles, satellite applications, and commercial space industry cooperation, attracting experts, scholars, business leaders, investment institutions, and representatives of international organizations from the global space sector.

2026 Wenchang International Aviation & Aerospace Forum Opens

At the opening ceremony, Phee Choosri, Deputy Executive Director of the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), Thailand, delivered a keynote speech on “Connecting Space and Ground: Aerospace Innovation Drives Economic Growth.” Jin Yaqiu, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Distinguished Professor of Fudan University, introduced the application of spaceborne microwave remote sensing in integrated space-air-ground-sea information perception. Guo Lei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and University Professor of Beihang University, shared insights on “AI + Aerospace: From Brain-Inspired Intelligence to Bio-Inspired Intelligence.”

During the keynote session, Rong Yi, Chief Designer of the Long March 10A Launch Vehicle at the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), introduced the technical challenges and engineering practice of reusable launch vehicles. Cao Shuyu, Mayor of Wenchang City and Executive Deputy Director of the Wenchang International Aerospace City Administration, said that Wenchang has comprehensive advantages including high launch efficiency, convenient maritime transport, and safe drop zones for rocket stages and debris, and is accelerating the development of a new industrial city covering rocket final assembly, satellite manufacturing, data trading, and space-themed culture and tourism. He noted that since the beginning of this year, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site has completed 11 launch missions, and construction of facilities such as the second-phase launch pads is being accelerated. The “launch upon delivery, reuse upon return” model is effectively reducing operating costs. Over the next five years, a number of major Chinese space programs will be based in Wenchang, including large-scale commercial launches and satellite constellation deployment, crewed lunar landing missions, and heavy-lift launch vehicle missions.

Liu Hongjian, Chairman of Hainan Space Group and General Manager of Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center Co., Ltd., said that the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site has already achieved routine launch capability. Going forward, it will leverage the launch site to drive the clustering of industrial chains and scientific research resources, promote the integration of the space industry with urban functions, and build a space industry cluster oriented toward the international market.

At the opening ceremony, the “Hainan Aerospace Data International Service Hub” and the “Joint Laboratory on Intelligent Computing Satellite Constellation” were officially unveiled. During the signing session, the Wenchang International Aerospace City Administration signed industrial investment agreements and strategic cooperation framework agreements with 17 companies along the industrial chain, including Commercial Rocket Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). Hainan Space Group signed strategic cooperation agreements and culture-tourism cooperation memorandums with six institutions, including China Galaxy Securities Co., Ltd. The cooperation covers rocket research and development, launch, recovery, tracking, telemetry, and control (TT&C), education, culture and tourism, and finance, and will provide support for high-frequency commercial launches and localized support along the industrial chain.

Hainan Aerospace Data International Service Hub Unveiled

Joint Laboratory on Intelligent Computing Satellite Constellation Unveiled

As 2026 marks the first full year in the implementation of island-wide special customs operations across the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), Hainan has created a more competitive policy environment in areas such as zero tariffs on aerospace equipment, cross-border flows of production factors, and international scientific and technological cooperation. The organizers said they hope the forum will help bring together global resources and promote the development of the rocket, satellite, and data industry chains, and the “Aerospace Plus” industries.

The three-day forum features the main forum as well as thematic forums on international cooperation on satellite data and applications, service innovation empowering commercial space, reusable launch vehicles and airline-like launch operations, financing for commercial space, LEO satellite internet application innovation, and a new space tourism ecosystem, along with multiple closed-door meetings and field visits.