China’s Technological Development: 6G and Its Effect on International Relations

6G technology development in China

China is increasingly showing its commitment to lead in the development of the sixth generation (6G) communication technology. This effort not only underlines the country’s ambition to become a global leader in digital infrastructure, but also marks a new shift in the international relations order. Various trials, chip development, to the development of satellite ecosystems show that the post-5G technology race is now entering a more complex and large impact phase.

the evolutionary history of communication technology

The development of communication technology over the last four decades has brought significant changes to the global economy and politics. The first generation (1G) in the 1980s was still analog based. In the 1990s, 2G presented network digitization and SMS services that revolutionized personal communication. The 3G era in the early 2000s opened mobile internet access widely. The revolution is increasingly felt with the presence of 4G around 2010 which drives the economic boom in the global application and digital platform. Currently the world is in the 5G phase, which according to GSMA reports by 2024 has reached more than 1.6 billion global connections and is estimated to reach nearly 5 billion connections by 2030. However, global competition does not stop at 5G. Beijing is now moving quickly towards the next phase.

China’s Breakthrough in 6G Technology

In recent years, China’s government and telecommunications industry have been aggressively pushing for 6G research. Chinese scientists have developed a 6G “full-spectrum” chip capable of transmitting data of more than 100 gigabits per second in laboratory tests. The speed goes far beyond the 5G standard and theoretically enables holographic communication and real-time AI computing. Major operators such as China Mobile are also reported to have built an integrated 6G testbed and filed more than 1,200 patents related to the technology. Data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) shows that Chinese companies and research institutions have indeed dominated global telecommunications patent filings in recent years.

According to the Nikkei Asia and Reuters report, China is targeting the commercialization of 6G around 2030, in line with the roadmap of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT). In fact, the initial trial of the experimental network initiated by a team from Peking University, Peng Cheng Laboratory, Shanghaitech University, and China’s National Optoelectronic Innovation Center has reached the speed of hundreds of gigabits per second on a limited scale.

Construction of internet satellite constellation

In addition to terrestrial networks, China is also accelerating the construction of internet satellite constellation. Projects such as Qianfan, which the Spacenews report plans to cover more than 15,000 satellites, are projected to strengthen global connectivity and support the next-generation communication ecosystem. This space-air-air integration approach is in line with the 6G vision discussed in various IEEE Communications Magazine journals, which emphasize the importance of satellite and terrestrial integrated networks to achieve full global coverage. If successful, China not only leads technical standards, but also controls the physical infrastructure of the global network.

Global Technology Rivalry and Fragmentation

Beijing’s progress in 6G occurred in the midst of the technological rivalry that has been heating up with the United States. In the 5G era, companies such as Huawei faced restrictions in the US and a number of European countries. The 6G race has the potential to deepen the fragmentation of global technology. Brookings Institution in a number of analyzes considers that the next generation of technology standards can create “Digital Spheres of Influence”, where developing countries tend to adopt ecosystems from more dominant power in terms of infrastructure and financing. If China succeeds in leading the 6G standardization at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), then Beijing’s normative and technical influence on global digital governance will strengthen.

questions about security and interoperability

The emergence of 6G raises new questions about data security, interoperability, and digital sovereignty. The World Economic Forum (2023) report confirms that future generation technology will increase the need for global coordination in cybersecurity and cross-border data protection. The development of 6G also has a sensitive security dimension. Reports of think tanks such as the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and RAND Corporation highlight that 6G has the potential to revolutionize the military command-and-control system through ultra-low latency and extreme data capacity. Media such as Defense News and The Economist also noted that the integration of AI, Edge Computing, and the next generation of networks can change the balance of power in the domains of electronic warfare and Swarm drones. Therefore, the acceleration of Chinese network technology is seen by some Western countries as a long-term strategic challenge.

For South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, this development presents both an opportunity and a dilemma. On the one hand, 6G can accelerate the transformation of the digital economy. On the other hand, reliance on one technological ecosystem can increase the geopolitical risk in the midst of major power rivalry.

Overall, China’s achievement in the development of 6G marks the early phase of the next generation of technology race. Although full commercialization is estimated to have only matured around 2030, the direction of the competition is clear. As noted by The Economist (2024), the 6G race is not just a matter of internet speed, but who will determine the architecture of the digital economy and global security in the next decade. Through big investment and strong domestic coordination, China is currently at the forefront. However, as the experience of 5G shows, the dominance of technology is ultimately also determined by trust in politics, international alliances, and the dynamics of global security.