BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) — The following is a summary of published science and technology news of China.

NEW UAV MODEL

China’s independently-developed Wing Loong large unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) family has embraced a new model which is made by all-composite materials, announced its developer Friday.

The Wing Loong-1E all-composite multipurpose large UAV successfully completed its maiden flight on Jan. 18, said the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The large UAV conducted the autonomous takeoff and then completed the 22-minute maiden flight, with the UAV in good condition, said the AVIC.

NEW GENERATION ROCKET

China plans to launch its new generation carrier rocket Long March-8 Y2 between late February and early March from the southern island of Hainan, sources with the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, the country’s leading rocket maker, said on Friday.

The rocket arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Center Friday after a week of ocean transport. It will undergo final assembly and testing at the launch site. The scheduled Long March-8 mission will be China’s first rocket launch this year.

GI PROTECTION, APPLICATION PLAN

China has recently issued a major plan on geographical indications (GIs) for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), highlighting six indicators for GI protection and application, according to the country’s top intellectual property regulator.

The plan is a blueprint with detailed targets and measures for the country to enhance its GI protection for the upcoming years, said the National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA).