China has become a powerful force in shaping the global digital future, with remarkable advancements in telecom policy, regulation, and innovation. Over the past two years, China has accelerated mobile connectivity, driven 5G evolution, advanced spectrum policy, and committed to sustainability, fostering a more inclusive and innovation-led digital society. This progress and leadership have led the GSMA to host the inaugural Policy Leaders Forum at MWC Shanghai, 18–20 June 2025, where policymakers and industry leaders from the international community will converge to shape the future of digital connectivity.
Accelerating the 5G evolution
Over the past year, national regulations have actively supported the commercial rollout of 5G-Advanced and 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability), making China among the first countries globally to scale this next phase of 5G evolution. These policies have enabled 5G-Advanced to be deployed in more than 330 cities, while RedCap technology is being leveraged across smart grids, cities, and manufacturing.
China’s “5G Set Sail Action Plan” (2021–2023) has been widely recognised for expediting 5G deployment and driving use case innovation. In November 2024, the government unveiled the “5G Set Sail Upgrade Action Plan,” which outlines goals for 2027, including 85% 5G penetration rate, 100+ million 5G IoT connections and 38 5G base stations per 10,000 people. The new plan focuses on strengthening monetisation and scaling 5G services, particularly in enterprise verticals.
Leading in spectrum policy and international alignment
The 5G’s success story wouldn’t have been possible without China’s bold and early stance on spectrum planning. In July 2023, it became the first country to nationally identify the 6 GHz band for IMT (mobile services), setting the tone for global conversations ahead of WRC-23. China’s leadership helped secure a broader Asia-Pacific position on 6 GHz mobile use.
In a landmark move, Hong Kong SAR hosted the world’s first 6 GHz auction for mobile use in November 2024, allocating 100 MHz each to three operators. These developments set the stage for early equipment readiness and accelerated 5G-Advanced adoption.
Enhancing data governance with global alignment
In March 2024, China issued revisions to streamline cross-border data flow regulations, including clearer evaluation procedures and updated contract standards for personal data transfers. These reforms reduce compliance complexity for multinational businesses operating in China and represent a welcome shift toward greater alignment with international best practices in digital governance and trade facilitation.
Expanding digital inclusion nationwide
China has made remarkable strides in bridging the digital divide. As of October 2024, all counties and villages have broadband and 5G access, one billion people are 5G subscribers, over 60% of the population has basic or higher digital literacy, with rural areas at 51%.
Key enabling policies include digital literacy campaigns, tailored app content for minors, and rural broadband subsidies—all of which help unlock digital access for every citizen.
Driving climate action through connectivity
China continues to champion the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at both global and domestic levels. The country has participated in the UN Digital Compact and ITU-MIIT High Level Seminar, published national reports on green digital development and promoted green data centres and low-carbon manufacturing.
Thanks to these efforts, 5G energy use per site fell 20% since launch, with 90% infrastructure sharing and 50% renewable usage in data centres as of 2024. Mobile operators have also deployed over 45,000 enterprise private networks, enabling over 100,000 digital use cases that improve efficiency and sustainability in traditional sectors.
Fostering innovation: The AI era and beyond
Innovation is a pillar of China’s digital future. In 2024, seven central government bodies jointly released a national opinion on advancing emerging technologies such as 6G, quantum computing, and next-generation cloud infrastructure.
China also led the world in regulating generative AI, publishing its Interim Measures in July 2023. This clarity enabled operators to roll out industry-specific GenAI models and AI-enabled features that further empowered innovations such as 5G New Calling. By year-end 2024, every Chinese operator had deployed over 30 enterprise GenAI models, helping reposition the mobile industry as a hub of converged innovation.
Hosting the Policy Leaders Forum at MWC Shanghai 2025
In recognition of China’s telecom policy and regulation leadership, the GSMA will host the inaugural Policy Leaders Forum at MWC Shanghai 2025 (June 18–20). The Forum will unite policymakers and industry leaders from the international community to address critical issues like 5G to 6G evolution, AI convergence, and digital transformation policies. In addition to a compelling session, it will feature invitation-only roundtables and exclusive networking events. This milestone reflects China’s proactive engagement, openness to dialogue, and commitment to international collaboration—hallmarks of a mature digital policy powerhouse. The upcoming Policy Leaders Forum at MWC Shanghai 2025 will be a defining moment to reflect on this journey—and to envision what’s next.