6G Sparks Intense Discussions Among Advisors During Two Sessions

Recent legislative sessions in China have ignited vigorous discussions surrounding the potential of 6G technology, underscoring its capacity to revolutionize communication. As the nation embarks on this next technological phase, the call for establishing global standards becomes increasingly urgent amid rapid advancements.

Yang Jie, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former chairman of China Mobile, conveyed to the Global Times his conviction that by the conclusion of the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), 6G will be integrated widely across China, enhancing the diversity and richness of digital services available to citizens.

Further asserting the necessity of international collaboration, Yang remarked that the development of 6G represents a collective achievement and demands joint efforts from countries worldwide to formulate unified global standards.

Miao Wei, an NPC deputy and senior vice president of ZTE, highlighted the critical importance of strategic planning within the 6G sector to foster a competitive edge. In a statement to the Global Times, he noted that while China has established itself as a global leader in the 5G landscape, the journey into 6G development navigates "uncharted territory."

Miao further explained that early prototype testing alongside standards research and spectrum planning are pivotal in this phase. Moreover, he emphasized the role of innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) agent terminal applications as a catalyst for smarter networks, advocating for the deployment of moderately advanced networks to support emerging applications and markets.

Adding to the discourse, Liu Wu, an NPC deputy and engineer at the China Information and Communication Technologies Group, articulated that a significant breakthrough of 6G will be the seamless integration of "space, air, ground, and sea" networks. This integration will entail the amalgamation of terrestrial, satellite, aerial, and maritime communications, with a focus on merging communication with sensing and artificial intelligence.

According to Xinhua, Liu posited that such advanced technology will facilitate connectivity in remote areas and enhance capabilities for ocean exploration and disaster relief. Moreover, the ability to monitor environments and detect vital signs through wireless signals opens up substantial opportunities in sectors including autonomous driving, smart homes, and health monitoring.

China’s commitment to nurturing future industries is reflected in its Government Work Report, which highlights initiatives in future energy, quantum technology, embodied AI, brain-computer interfaces, and 6G technology.

In recent developments, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the successful completion of the first phase of 6G technology trials, which saw the accumulation of over 300 key technologies earmarked for future applications. The ministry also confirmed that the second phase of the trials has now been fully initiated.