Beijing – June 30, 2025 – Mr. Jan Ellsberger, Director-General of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), along with Mr. Ultan Mulligan, Chief Services Officer, Dr. Issam Toufik, Chief Technology Officer, and Mr. Igor Minaev, Head of External Relations, visited China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for a high-level meeting on the latest developments in standardization. The meeting focused on China’s progress in 5G/6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Quantum Technology. Dr. Betty Xu, Director of SESEC, also attended to provide support.
The meeting was co-hosted by MIIT’s Department of Information and Communication Technology Development and Department of Science and Technology. Participating in MIIT officials included:
- Ji SUN, Deputy Director-General, Department of ICT Development
- Yang LU, Director of Network Technology Division, Department of ICT Development
- Shuang CUI, Senior Researcher, Standards Division, Department of Science and Technology
- Shuguang QI, Senior Researcher, Standards Division, Department of Science and Technology
- Ling MIAO, Senior Researcher, Cybersecurity Administration Bureau
Also in attendance were:
- Nan Xinsheng, Vice Secretary General, China CommunicationsStandards Association (CCSA)
- Zhao Shizhuo, Director of International Division, CCSA
- Liu Xiaofeng, Deputy Chief Engineer, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT)
Ms. Ji Sun opened the meeting with a warm welcome and recognized ETSI for its global leadership in ICT standardization. She emphasized that ETSI’s advanced practices and efficient working mechanisms have offered valuable reference points for China’s standardization strategies. Over the years, ETSI has deepened its cooperation with Chinese industry, academia, and government, fostering mutual development and playing a key role in China’s digital transformation.
The MIIT representatives then shared a detailed update on China’s recent achievements. China has emerged as a key player in international standardization. According to MIIT officials, throughout the years of its participation in 3GPP, China has contributed over 10,000 drafts related to 5G and 5G-A standards. . In 2024, China issued 37 national and 522 sector standards in telecommunications. The country’s 5G infrastructure now includes 4.486 million base stations, providing full urban coverage and extending into rural areas. Meanwhile, China is actively progressing on 6G through the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group, which has produced over 50 research publications with participation from more than 120 domestic and international members.
In AI, MIIT has launched its first dedicated standardization committee, MIIT/TC01 – Artificial Intelligence, with the secretariat in CAICT. MIIT/TC01 is mainly responsible for sector standards related to AI. As of 2025, MIIT/TC 01 has issued over 40 key domestic sector standards, and co-developed 55 international standards, while led global standardization efforts in large AI models and network intelligence through ITU, ISO, and IEC.
On ETSI’s side, Mr. Ellsberger presented an overview of ETSI’s strategic priorities, highlighting recent organizational reforms and ambitions to expand beyond traditional ICT standardization. The ETSI delegation also introduced the structure of the European Standardization System and its vital role in supporting the European Union’s digital transformation goals.
This exchange reaffirmed the mutual interest in deepening collaboration on global standardization. Both sides acknowledged the strategic importance of aligning efforts to ensure openness, interoperability, and innovation in emerging technologies.
