Wu Jichuan of the Ministry of Information Industry has reaffirmed that China will release the long-anticipated regulations on the management of foreign-invested telecommunications operations before its accession to the World Trade Organization.
When asked why the regulations were so long in coming, he said it was mainly because solving some types of problems involved coordinating several departments. Wu made the remarks after attending the opening ceremony of the Second China International New and High Technology Trade Fair in Shenzhen on Oct. 12.
Wu said China’s intent to examine the qualifications of foreign businesses before their entry into the sector is in line with international practice. He said there would be no prejudice against foreign businesses in terms of market access, according to the Oct. 13 Hong Kong Ming Pao.
At a press conference at the end of last month, Wu revealed that foreign businesses are allowed to enter the Chinese market if they can provide long-term services.
The new regulations will outline the necessary rules that foreign investors must follow after China opens its market. Reportedly, there will be a total of 81 articles.
Regarding the applications of domestic telecom companies such as China Telecom and China Netcom for licenses to provide mobile phone service, Wu said that the MII does not yet plan to grant a third license. Currently, only China Mobile and China Unicom have licenses to provide mobile phone service.
(People’s Daily 10/14/2000)
