BEIJING — A big Earth data system was launched at the 1st China Digital Earth Conference that opened on Nov 18 in Beijing.

The system initiated by Chinese scientists can provide global users with uniquely identifiable and standardized big Earth data.

As an advanced tool for quantitative research of the Earth, the project incorporates research fields involving space science, information technology and Earth science.

The system has already been applied in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the digital Belt and Road Initiative.

It can provide support in data storage, data management and information exploring, linking Earth data "beads" into a "necklace", said Guo Huadong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, adding that it will be a key platform to drive scientific discovery and decision support.