US action against ZTE aims to hit China's 5G advantages

THE TRADE FRICTIONS between the two largest economies, particularly the US Commerce Department's latest ban on US companies' exporting to ZTE, add more uncertainties to the first version of the 5G internet technology standards that are expected to be published soon. Beijing News commented on Thursday:

China had no say at all in the making of the 2G technology standards. Although it made one of the three 3G standards, many core patents still are owned by Qualcomm, and Chinese enterprises have to pay high fees to use the technology.

China also made one of the two standards of the 4G network, a concrete step forward thanks to the Chinese companies' long-term input in research and development. But Chinese companies still pay a fee to use Qualcomm's patented technology.