China is accelerating its development of 6G technology, having completed the first phase of trials and amassed a portfolio of over 300 key technologies. The push underscores Beijing’s ambition to maintain a leading position in next-generation communications and build upon its already substantial 5G infrastructure.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the initial phase of 6G trials focused on defining the core technical directions for the technology. This involved systematic research into system design and network architecture, a process that began several years ago. , the ministry announced the completion of this first phase, highlighting over 300 technological advancements achieved during the period.
The scale of China’s 6G initiative is significant. The country has united over 100 domestic and foreign entities within the industrial chain, actively inviting global firms to participate in technology trials. Cooperation has also been deepened with European organizations like 6G-IA and the South Korean 6G Forum, signaling a desire for international collaboration, though China is clearly driving its own internal development.
The timing of these advancements comes as China already boasts the world’s largest 5G network, with data revealing 4.838 million 5G base stations deployed and over 1.2 billion 5G users. Xie Cun, head of the information and communication development department at MIIT, stated that China accounts for 42 percent of global declarations of standard-essential 5G patents. This existing infrastructure and intellectual property base provide a strong foundation for the transition to 6G.
The second phase of 6G technology trials has recently been launched, indicating a continued commitment to rapid development. MIIT officials emphasize the importance of accelerating research and development, strengthening forward-looking planning, and fostering an application-oriented industrial ecosystem. The focus is shifting towards not just the technology itself, but also its practical implementation and commercialization.
6G is envisioned to be more than just a faster version of 5G. The technology is expected to integrate communications with sensing, computing, and artificial intelligence, expanding the scope of services beyond traditional connectivity. The target services will extend from connecting people and machines to intelligent agents, with coverage expanding to include integrated space-air-ground networks. This ambition points towards a future of “intelligent interconnection of everything and digital twins,” according to the MIIT.
China’s investment in 6G is also linked to its broader strategic goals in areas like photonic chip production. Recent reports indicate a ramp-up in domestic production of these chips, driven by demand from AI and quantum computing applications. While not directly stated as a connection by MIIT, the development of advanced photonic chips is crucial for supporting the high bandwidth and low latency requirements of 6G networks.
The standardization process for 6G is also underway, with research fully launched this year. Zhang Yunming, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, noted that 6G development is at a “critical stage that calls for collective wisdom and consensus.” China intends to strengthen research on core technologies, advance R&D, and deepen industrial integration to foster a robust 6G application ecosystem.
Looking ahead, China plans to promote global cooperation on 6G technology, standards, and spectrum allocation. Here’s intended to strengthen coordination and maximize development benefits, but also reflects China’s desire to play a leading role in shaping the global 6G landscape. The country recognizes the need for international alignment to ensure interoperability and avoid fragmentation of the next-generation network.
The completion of the first phase of trials and the launch of the second demonstrate a clear and sustained commitment from the Chinese government to 6G development. The country’s existing 5G infrastructure, substantial patent portfolio, and proactive approach to industrial collaboration position it as a key player in the global race to define and deploy the next generation of wireless communications. The focus now shifts to translating these technological advancements into tangible applications and establishing China as a dominant force in the 6G era.
