China to boost openness in telecommunication sector

China will continue to expand openness in the telecommunications sector, after more than 2,400 foreign-invested telecom enterprises had been registered in the country as of March 2025, up 26.5 percent year-on-year, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Friday.

Xie Cun, head of the information and communication development department at MIIT, said at a news conference in Beijing that the ministry encourages global firms to "invest in and deepen their roots in China." The move aligns with the nation's broader efforts to foster a more open and competitive telecom market.

"China will continue to expand openness in the telecommunications sector," Xie said, emphasizing plans to advance pilot programs for opening value-added telecom services and explore further broadening the scope of foreign participation.

"We aim to attract more qualified foreign enterprises to operate telecom businesses in China, contributing to high-quality development and international cooperation," Xie added.

Value-added telecom services—such as data processing, cloud computing, and internet platforms—have become key areas for foreign entrants, supported by streamlined regulatory processes.

Meanwhile, the MIIT said it will accelerate the formulation of a new round of stabilization and growth plans for the electronic information manufacturing sector. The ministry also plans to introduce new stabilization and growth plans, along with digital transformation plans, for industries such as machinery, automotive, and electronic equipment.