The Vice-Premier of China Mr Zeng Peiyan received ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré in Beijing on 24 July. He recognized ITUs role as the leading UN agency for telecommunication and ICT in contributing to socio-economic development. He also sought ITUs support to meet the demands of Chinas burgeoning telecommunication and ICT industry.
China has been a member of ITU since 1920 and has played an important role in the Unions activities. Hong Kong hosted Telecom World 2006, the first time that the event was held away from Geneva. Vice-Premier Zeng stated the Chinese governments interest in supporting the development programmes of ITU. "Having the largest telecommunication/IT manufacturing companies in China, we want to cooperate with ITU in its development activities," said Mr Zeng.
Noting the productive relationship between China and the African region over the last 50 years, Dr Touré encouraged China to actively participate in the Connect Africa initiative that will be launched in Kigali, Rwanda, 29−30 October 2007 (see here) "I seek your support and active involvement for cooperation between China and ITU for ICT development and especially from Chinese companies in the Connect Africa initiative," said Dr Touré.
Dr Touré briefed Mr Zeng on the forthcoming World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), which will be held in Geneva from 22 October to 16 November this year. He said it is a very important event that will have a significant impact on industry as the conference will review the radio regulations and allocate spectrum that is required in an increasingly wireless world.
Vice-Premier Zeng said China would need ITUs support in areas such as the management of radio-frequency spectrum and satellite orbits as well as developing ICT standards. He said China has been pursuing TD-SCDMA technology as a standard for 3G mobile. Mr Zeng extended Chinas invitation to ITU to participate in the Shanghai World Expo in 2010.
Rural telecommunication development in China
Dr Touré also visited rural telecommunication development projects in Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. He was happy to learn that Anhui Telecom has connected every village in this mountainous rural area. China Telecoms Nantang Access Point in Anhui Province covers 5345 people via 930 fixed line subscribers. However, ADSL connections to access the Internet remain a challenge.
For further information, please contact:
Sanjay Acharya
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information
ITU
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Source: ITU
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