By Staff Reporters

China is accelerating its R&D of 6G technology, a topic discussed by policymakers and industry experts at the recently held fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. With key technological breakthroughs having been made, China is now entering the phase of integration of technical solutions and development of prototype machines.

The technology is explicitly named in this year's government work report as a key industry of the future to develop, alongside quantum technology, embodied AI and brain-computer interfaces.

From connecting to sensing

"6G represents far more than faster speeds; it's a leap from simple connection to ubiquitous sensing and intelligent services," said Miao Wei, a deputy to the NPC and senior vice president at ZTE Corporation.

Identified in the International Telecommunication Union's "IMT-2030 framework," 6G is expected to improve upon nine existing capabilities and bring six new capabilities, including sensing-related capabilities and applicable AI-related capabilities.

"The network will be ubiquitous, as will computing power and intelligence," explained Shao Chunju, researcher from China Mobile Research Institute. She envisions authorized devices like robot assistants collaborating on tasks such as scheduling or home care. Holographic communication for individual users and advanced real-time monitoring for smart factories will also be possible.

The development of 6G will directly drive the accelerated growth of cutting-edge industrial chains such as satellite Internet, intelligent metasurfaces and quantum communication, according to Professor Zhang Ping from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

Building the ecosystem

China holds approximately 40 percent of global 6G patent applications, supported by a substantial talent pool and comprehensive industrial chain, Zhang said.

However, he warned that critical vulnerabilities remain in core components and foundational software. He also highlighted a shortage of interdisciplinary leaders capable of managing the convergence of communications, AI, aerospace and materials science.

"If the first phase was about 'drawing blueprints and gathering materials,' this second phase is about 'building the framework and creating the prototype,'" Zhang said, describing the 2025-2026 period as crucial for integrating over 300 key technologies into a functional, efficient and low-carbon 6G prototype system.

To secure a leading role in shaping next-generation technology, experts emphasized the need for coordination.

Areas such as new network architecture and integrated sensing, aligned with national strategies and industry standards, require advanced research, Shao stressed.

Meanwhile, application-driven development is also important, using future scenarios like immersive experiences and embodied intelligence to define infrastructure needs and cultivate new terminals and applications.

In addition, Zhang proposed establishing cross-disciplinary programs such as "Communications + AI" to train personnel required for the 6G era.