Briefing: China's Progress in 6G Technology

6G could change how we communicate in major ways.

Mar 26, 2025

Overview

China leads the global race to develop 6G technology through its established telecommunications infrastructure and substantial investments in research and innovation. The country aims to introduce 6G technologies by 2030 while actively shaping the standards for future wireless communication. The briefing examines China's foundational research work for 6G technology and its subsequent key discoveries throughout development while examining its current advancements and leadership position alongside other countries and its future outlook for 6G technology.

China has developed a strong environment for 6G technology advancement through collaboration between government entities and academic institutions with industry partners. The initiative demonstrates a dual focus on pioneering technological advancements while establishing global standards to maintain leadership within the telecommunications industry. China's technology breakthroughs will be crucial for transforming connectivity while enabling new sector applications as the world anticipates the impact of 6G.

China's Initial Research on 6G

China began its 6G research as early as 2019, with significant investments from major telecom companies such as China Mobile and ZTE.
The IMT-2030 6G Promotion Group was established to coordinate industrial and academic research efforts and promote international cooperation.
Early experiments focused on defining the system architecture and technical solutions for 6G while exploring new application scenarios such as integrating communication with artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite networks.

Key Findings and Discoveries During R&D

Technological Advancements:
- China achieved a breakthrough in space-to-ground laser communications, reaching data transmission speeds of 100 Gbps—ten times faster than previous records. This innovation lays the groundwork for satellite-based 6G infrastructure.
- A super-large MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) prototype system was developed to enhance wireless network performance, providing a technical basis for future applications.
New Application Scenarios:
- Research has highlighted potential applications such as immersive cloud XR (extended reality), holographic communications, sensory interconnections, and intelligent interactive communications.
- Integration with AI and robotics is expected to revolutionize industries like healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing.
Spectrum Allocation:
- The Chinese government allocated the critical 6 GHz frequency band for both 5G and future 6G services. This band offers high-quality bandwidth suitable for large-scale deployment.

China's Current Status in 6G Development

As of early 2025, China remains in the R&D phase for key 6G technologies. Standardization efforts are expected to conclude by around 2025, with trial operations planned by 2029 and full commercialization targeted for 2030.
China's extensive telecommunications infrastructure includes over 3.65 million 5G base stations, providing a strong foundation for transitioning to 6G.
The country has also made strides in developing localized technologies to reduce reliance on foreign patents and mitigate geopolitical risks.

China's Leadership Position in Global 6G Development

China is widely regarded as a frontrunner in the global race for 6G dominance:
- It has outpaced competitors like SpaceX's Starlink in satellite-to-ground communication technologies.
- The United States and European nations are investing heavily to catch up but remain behind China's progress. For instance, U.S.-based initiatives like the Next G Alliance began later than China's efforts.
China's leadership extends beyond technology to influence global standard-setting. Its active participation in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) meetings positions it to shape international standards for 6G.

Future Outlook for China in 6G Development

Commercialization Goals:
- China aims to launch commercial 6G systems by the end of this decade. Key milestones include completing standardization by mid-decade and releasing initial specifications by around 2028.
Economic and Strategic Impacts:
- The adoption of self-reliant technologies will enhance China's technological sovereignty while reducing vulnerabilities to external sanctions or trade restrictions.
Challenges:
- Despite its advantages, China faces hurdles such as skepticism from Western nations regarding security concerns and potential bottlenecks in fundamental innovation compared to countries like the U.S..

Conclusion

China demonstrates its leadership aspirations in telecommunications by strategically developing and implementing 6G technology. China’s advanced infrastructure capabilities combined with domestic innovation and self-reliance efforts position the country to achieve its objectives. The future trajectory of China's leadership in telecommunications could be affected by ongoing geopolitical conflicts and increasing technological competition from various countries. The advancement of China's technology development will transform various sectors and establish its role as a leading global technology powerhouse.

Through the integration of artificial intelligence along with quantum computing and satellite communications into its telecommunications systems China shows its commitment to ongoing technological progress. Through smarter infrastructure networks can now support revolutionary applications including autonomous systems and immersive virtual environments thanks to these technological developments. China becomes a major force in global digital transformation because of its research advances and worldwide connectivity solutions.

The China Briefing

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