Telecoms, Media And Internet Laws And Regulations 2018

1. OVERVIEW

1.1 Please describe the: (a) telecoms, including internet; and (b) audio-visual media distribution sectors in your jurisdiction, in particular by reference to each sector's: (i) annual revenue; and (ii) 3–5 most significant market participants.

Since its accession to the WTO, China has made tremendous progress in the telecoms, audio-visual media distribution, and internet infrastructure sectors in terms of market liberalisation, revenues, mobile phone and internet penetration rates, and innovation capability. In particular, the government established the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone ("SHFTZ") and relaxed several restrictions on foreign investment in the value-added telecommunications services ("VATS") sector in late 2013. Since the SHFTZ is a pilot zone set up to test reform initiatives that may significantly impact China's relevant markets, the new SHFTZ policies serve as an important signal that shows the government is moving towards