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China on Wednesday launched a pilot program to expand the opening-up of value-added telecommunications services, marking a resolute step by the world’s second-largest economy to continue expanding high-level opening-up despite external pressures and rise of protectionism around the world. .

This latest move, which adds to a series of concrete opening-up measures in the manufacturing and health sectors in recent months, demonstrates the Chinese government’s unwavering commitment to continuing opening-up and sharing its development opportunities with companies in all countries, analysts said.

The pilot program to expand the opening-up of value-added telecommunications services was launched in four areas, including the Beijing National Comprehensive Demonstration Zone to expand the opening-up in the service sector, the Lingang New Area of ​​the project free driver from China (Shanghai). Trade zone and pioneer zone of socialist modernization in Shanghai, Hainan free trade port and pilot demonstration zone of socialism with Chinese characteristics in Shenzhen, the Global Times learned from China’s Ministry of Industry and Technology on Wednesday. information (MIIT).

The pilot program will allow foreign investors to operate wholly-owned businesses such as internet data centers and engage in data processing and online transactions in designated areas. They can also benefit from better access to China’s cloud computing and computing power service markets, Xinhua reported.

“Expanding the opening-up of the telecommunications industry is an important measure to steadily promote institutional opening-up, integrate into the global division of labor and cooperation, and strengthen China’s competitive advantage and its leading position in the telecommunications industry,” said the Minister of Industry and Information. Technology Jin Zhuanglong said at an MIIT press briefing on Wednesday.

As of September, the number of foreign companies licensed to operate telecommunications services had increased to 2,220, according to media reports.

Zhang Hongtao, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, revealed that 10 foreign companies have applied to join the pilot program in Shanghai, including Tesla, Trafigura, HSBC Fintech and a subsidiary of Siemens, among others.

“China’s telecommunications industry ranks first in the world and the launch of a pilot program in this regard has once again demonstrated China’s firm determination to open its doors more widely and offer foreign companies broader development opportunities,” said Xiang Ligang, general manager of Beijing’s telecommunications industry. “, the Information Consumption Alliance told the Global Times on Thursday.

According to experts in the telecommunications sector, telecommunications constitutes a fundamental pillar closely linked to national security. China’s open attitude in this area therefore also offers a stark comparison with the geopolitical measures taken by some Western countries aimed at excluding Chinese telecommunications equipment manufacturers from their core networks.

China offers opportunities

“These are concrete measures implemented gradually in accordance with China’s development status. They also deliver a key message that China welcomes foreign companies willing to comply with Chinese laws and regulations. relevant policies, to jointly write a new chapter of win-win cooperation,” Xiang said.

China’s extension of the olive branch has prompted more foreign companies to increase their presence in the Chinese market, either in recent months or in the foreseeable future.

The seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), a key platform for China’s high-level opening-up to be held in Shanghai in November, attracted a total of 3,496 exhibitors from 129 countries and regions, surpassing the session previous, officials said. a press conference on Wednesday. The number of Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders among exhibitors reached 297, setting a new all-time high, according to official information.

Calvin McDonald, CEO of lululemon, a CIIE-listed Canadian fashion brand, told the Global Times that the company “remains steadfast in our commitment to further invest and increase our market presence.” China continues to be a key growth engine for lululemon’s international business, and the company expects it to become the brand’s second-largest global market by fiscal 2026, it said. note.

“Such thriving enthusiasm in the Chinese market is a manifestation of how foreign companies are ‘voting with their feet.’ As Chinese officials have said, China is the next opportunity. No one can afford to lose one of the most promising markets in the world, with its size and enormous untapped potential,” Xiang said.