China National Radio:
Mr. Xin，how does China connect neighboring countries in regard to ICT (information and communication technology) infrastructure? Thank you.
Xin Guobin:
Thank you. Infrastructure connectivity is a priority area under the Belt and Road Initiative. Improved global connectivity can help popularize a new generation of ICT, improve regional information services and promote socio-economic development in countries along the Belt and Road. Since the Initiative was launched, we have undertaken work in the following areas:
First, we used various international cooperation mechanisms, bilateral and multilateral communications platforms, actively connected to the countries and regions along the Belt and Road. We successively signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in ICT with telecommunications administrations of Cambodia, Iran, Bengal and Afghanistan; and, we signed the China-Africa Partnership Program in Trans Africa Information Superhighway with Ministries of Communication in five East African countries, Ethiopia and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) respectively. We will sign MoU on Strengthening ICT Cooperation Within the Framework of the Belt and Road Initiative with ITU.
Second, we optimized the layout of domestic ICT and established a framework of nine comprehensive international business agencies (in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.), 10 regional international business agencies (such as the one in Kunming), 10 border services agencies (in places such as Shenzhen) and 58 information channels agencies (in Khorgas, for example) after adjustment. These agencies effectively ensure the quality of ICT and the safety of network information between China and countries along the Belt and Road.
Third, we effectively promoted the construction of a cross-border optical cable network and ensured effective information transmission. We established a cross-border land cable network with 12 neighboring countries, plus four submarine cable networks. And we are expanding the China- Kazakhstan cable network, and pushing ahead with the newly-established China-Afghanistan cable network and China-Pakistan cable network, and other cable networks along the Belt and Road region. We are positively promoting telecommunication enterprises to join in the construction of “China-ASEAN Information Harbor” and backbone state cable networks in African countries.
Forth, we encouraged the main telecommunication companies to engage in international telecommunications service business and provide high-quality telecommunication services. In 2016, the scale of foreign investment of China’s three main telecommunication enterprises was around five billion yuan. They engaged in overseas operations in Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore, and other countries and regions. Thank you.