In a significant step towards opening up its telecommunications sector, China has granted approval to 13 foreign-invested companies to operate pilot projects in value-added telecom services across Beijing, Shanghai, Hainan, and Shenzhen. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on February 28, 2025.
The approved companies include affiliates and parent companies of global giants such as Deutsche Telekom’s T-Systems P.R. China Ltd., Siemens Digital Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd, and Airbus China. They are now permitted to engage in activities like internet access and information services, marking a milestone in China’s efforts to align its industry management with international standards.
“This move effectively synchronizes our domestic regulatory model with high-standard international economic and trade rules,” said Shi Lina, director of the International Governance Department at the Policy and Economic Research Institute, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology. “It promotes continuous improvement in the telecom industry’s regulatory system.”
For companies like Deutsche Telekom, the approvals open up unprecedented opportunities. “We can better integrate global resources, enhance technological innovation, and provide higher-quality solutions and services,” said Li Wenfang, vice president of T-Systems P.R. China Ltd. “This will lead more German companies to enter the Chinese market.”
Airbus China, which operates a major digital platform for analyzing aircraft performance data, views the approval as a crucial step in enhancing services for China’s aviation industry. “With this value-added telecom license, we can provide digital support to airlines, introduce health monitoring, and launch electronic data flight packages in China,” said Zhao Chen, vice president of Airbus China.
Xu Gang, CEO of Airbus China, noted that the approval simplifies business operations and accelerates the introduction of digital products and services. “With this new policy, we can introduce more sophisticated digital solutions for fleet management and operational efficiency,” he said.
According to the Beijing Communication Administration, the approvals are set to inject new vitality into economic growth and offer users a wider range of telecommunication services. This move aligns with China’s ongoing efforts to expand high-standard opening up, following the unveiling of an action plan to stabilize foreign investment on February 19.
Latest data show that by the end of February 2025, the number of foreign-invested telecom enterprises in China increased by 30 percent year-on-year, exceeding 2,400 companies. This surge highlights China’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and dynamic telecommunications industry.
