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| China leads the global standards for 5G networks |
China has become a major player in shaping international international standards for new technologies (especially global standards for 5G wireless networks). This is part of the country's efforts to create its own competitive environment.
China is expected to develop a medium-term strategy called "China Standard 2035" to complete the industrial modernization plan called "Made in China 2025".
Given Beijing's growing lack of confidence, its increasing dominance in the discussion of global standards could become another source of friction.
Last year, China submitted 830 technical documents on telecommunications specifications to the International Telecommunication Union, more than any other country and more than South Korea, the United States and Japan.
These documents serve as a basis for discussing the new standards. More documents means stronger sound. China is the fifth largest contributor to the EU budget.
Houlin Zhao, Secretary General of the President of the Chinese Organization, previously participated in developing communication standards for the Chinese government and promised to enhance cooperation with the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.
Regardless of the communication method used, the Japan Industrial Standards Committee found that China made 16 of the 65 new proposals submitted by the Technical Committee of the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission since 2014.
These committees are responsible for setting standards in specific areas and are usually the leaders of countries that make recommendations. China is now governed by the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS as a whole), and Xu Linbiao took office in January.
The United States understands the risks of standardization in Beijing, and thus separates Chinese technology companies from American firms.
Last year, Washington ordered U.S. companies to stop working with Huawei for security reasons, while Britain and France began taking a tough stance against Huawei, but the move would not limit China's influence on the 5G.
According to the Tokyo-based Network Network Innovation Institute, Huawei is a pioneer in registering basic 5G patent.
Huawei leads the contribution of 5G network to 3GPP, an international organization dedicated to developing telecommunications standards.
An Intellectual Property expert said, “Although Huawei is prohibited from using 5G networks, companies sometimes have to pay for patents that are now part of the industry standard.”
China can use its influence over global standards to undermine economic sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury allows companies to share technical information with Huawei, and Huawei is blacklisted as part of developing the 5G specification because it fears the United States will be excluded from this process.
If China takes the lead in developing standards, it will also improve the country's competitiveness in areas of more importance than just assembling equipment.
Since China first defines its national standards as international standards, and then exports complete Chinese systems that meet these specifications, this is another obstacle to the US strategy to reduce China's technological impact.