China has started construction on a new 40-meter radio telescope to enhance its Very Long Baseline Interferometry network across 5 sites. Located in Jilin Province's Changbai Mountains, it will begin operations by end of 2024.

The mobile antenna will serve diverse functions from black hole studies to communicating with China's interplanetary probes, aided by the dry climate. It will form a 6-node observatory network when completed.

A key motivation is enabling communications with Chinese space missions, since China lacks access to NASA's Deep Space Network - the world's most advanced deep space communications system. They currently rely on limited cooperation with ESA's Estrack network.

Effective probe communication requires globally distributed antennas for constant connections as missions orbit. China previously resorted to small shipborne antennas for critical events. But the ground network will provide persistent robust support.

The expanded capabilities will also assist Chinese scientists in observing distant astrophysical phenomena like galaxies and black holes using very long baseline interferometry.

This builds on China's ambitious space program which includes lunar exploration mission Chang'e 6 in 2025 and the ongoing Tianwen-1 Mars mission. An outer solar system probe is also planned this decade, necessitating the improved communications infrastructure.

While driven by China's independent deep space agenda, the project also boosts radio astronomy observations. It crystallizes China's scientific and technological goals of sustaining world-class space research and exploration capacities.

With the new dish, China is systematically developing the ground and space capabilities to uniquely pursue its solar system and universe research objectives. Deep space communications autonomy is a key strategic element enabling its aspirations.