In July this year, high-resolution satellite images captured by the "Jilin-1" Wideband 01A satellite played an important role in flood control and disaster relief efforts.

In space more than 500 kilometers above the ground, 108 "Jilin-1" satellites are operating in orbit, providing high-quality remote sensing information services to hundreds of organizations in more than 170 countries and regions.

"Jilin-1" comes from China's ** commercial remote sensing satellite company — Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Chang Guang Satellite"). In 2005, the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences launched a technical research effort on complete satellite development. In December 2014, based on this project, Chang Guang Satellite was established with funding from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, the Jilin Provincial Government, social capital, and technical backbones.

The "Decision" of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed: "Build a science and technology finance system compatible with scientific and technological innovation, strengthen financial support for major national science and technology tasks and small and medium-sized technology enterprises, and improve support policies for long-term capital to invest early, invest in small businesses, invest for the long term, and invest in hard technology." From 0 to 108 satellites, Chang Guang Satellite has continued to develop on the strong wind of reform and innovation.

"In the startup stage, we were fortunate to have the government help the company through difficulties. From 2015 to 2018, the government reduced interest payments for the company by more than 80 million yuan in total." Jia Hongguang, Party Secretary and Deputy General Manager of Chang Guang Satellite, introduced, "With the launch into orbit of the 'Jilin-1' remote sensing satellites in a 'four satellites on one rocket' mission in 2015, more investment poured in, and more than 2.4 billion yuan in financing has been obtained so far."

Weight reduced from the 400-kilogram class to the 20-kilogram class, 'four satellites on one rocket' changed to '41 satellites on one rocket,' and satellite development costs reduced to 1/20 of the original... Today's 'Jilin-1' satellites are growing rapidly.

The development of Chang Guang Satellite has benefited from Jilin's exploration of a new model of intellectual property pledge financing, offering loan interest subsidies and listing awards and subsidies to science and technology 'little giant' enterprises. In 2023, the loan growth rate for high-tech enterprises and small and medium-sized technology enterprises in Jilin Province reached 32.8%. In January this year, at the Jilin Science and Technology Enterprise Investment and Financing Matchmaking Conference, intended financing of more than 200 million yuan was reached on site.

"If we stop scientific and technological innovation, we will inevitably be eliminated. Therefore, we invest a large amount of research funding every year and are determined to innovate." Jia Hongguang said, "Fortunately, enterprise scientific and technological innovation is not a solo effort."

Jilin solicits key technology needs from across the province. "Enterprises, universities, and research institutes compete on the same stage, and research funding accelerates the transformation of scientific research achievements." said Bao Chengsheng, Deputy Director of the Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology. At present, Jilin has launched and implemented two batches of 18 projects under the open competition mechanism to select the best candidates, investing 54.6 million yuan in fiscal funds and driving 218 million yuan in social capital investment.

This year, Chang Guang Satellite is expected to invest more than 10 million yuan in a data application development project, and this project has been preliminarily determined to be included in the Jilin Provincial Government's special program for pooling efforts to tackle key scientific and technological innovation challenges. After approval, the government will provide funding support according to a certain proportion. "Compared with previous support for scientific and technological innovation, this time not only is the amount larger, but more importantly, the research theme is closely tied to the urgent needs of enterprises. Enterprises have changed from 'participants' in scientific and technological innovation projects to 'leaders.'" Jia Hongguang is full of confidence.

From "selling satellites" to "selling data" and "selling services," Chang Guang Satellite's remote sensing satellite application products now cover more than 150 fields. Last year, the company's sales revenue exceeded 600 million yuan.

Today, the number of enterprises above designated size in fields such as commercial aerospace and optoelectronic information in Jilin has grown to nearly 200. "We will persist in investing early, investing in small businesses, investing for the long term, and investing in hard technology, further comprehensively deepen reform, and enable more enterprises to set sail and embark on long voyages," Bao Chengsheng said.