On January 24, 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the Provisions on Radar Radio Management (Trial) (hereinafter referred to as the “Provisions”). The document defines the frequency usage range and radio technical specifications for 19 types of radar across seven major categories operating in frequency bands below 100 GHz. It aims to regulate the development, production, import, sale, and use of radar equipment.

Key Highlights:

  • Scope of Coverage: The Provisions take into account the actual use of radar in China and cover 19 different types of radar, including aviation radar, meteorological radar, maritime traffic radar, and land traffic radar. This ensures comprehensive coverage of major radar types currently in use.
  • Technical Requirements: Based on a review of existing national and industry radar standards, as well as relevant ITU recommendations and reports, the Provisions systematically define the frequency usage range and associated radio technical specifications for various radar systems.
  • Management Procedures: The Provisions delegate radar radio frequency licensing authority to provincial radio management departments according to different usage scenarios. Additionally, the licensing process is optimized by integrating frequency usage permits with station setup and operation permits, thereby improving approval efficiency.
  • Usage Supervision: The Provisions set clear requirements for radar radio station (site) interference coordination, electromagnetic environment protection, frequency utilization rates, in-use station inspections, and equipment management. These measures further regulate user operations and safeguard the security of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Next Steps:

The Provisions will come into effect on January 1, 2026. At that time, the national radio management authority will no longer accept or approve type approval applications for radar radio transmitting equipment that do not comply with these regulations. For radar models that have already obtained type approval certificates, renewal will not be granted once the certificates expire. Additionally, radio management authorities at all levels will no longer process new applications for radar frequency usage permits or radio station (site) setup and operation permits that do not conform to the Provisions.

For radar radio stations (sites) that have already been legally established and are in use, if continued operation is required after the expiration of the radio frequency usage term or the validity period of the radio station license, operators may still apply to the radio management authority for an extension until the original equipment is decommissioned.

SESEC Observation

Notably, the Provisions do not cover short-range radar operating in the 60 GHz band, which has long been of interest to European stakeholders. This suggests that China is not yet ready to open this market, and its future regulatory direction remains uncertain. European stakeholders should continue engaging with MIIT to advocate for its inclusion.

 

Reference: https://wap.miit.gov.cn/zwgk/zcwj/wjfb/tz/art/2025/art_5d939f69fa5f42a29b57fdd4a2586e22.html