Telecom law not yet in sight

The long-awaited telecommunications law is unlikely to be submitted for voting at the National People's Congress (NPC), which will open next month, industry sources said.

"There is a slim chance the telecommunications law will be passed this year," said an official with the Ministry of Information Industry (MII), who was involved in drafting the law.

The telecommunications law has been at the draft stage for over 20 years. The MII submitted a final version to the State Council for evaluation in 2004. And last year the standing committee of the NPC listed the telecommunications law as one of its top priorities, buoying hopes it will be passed soon.