Shanghai has officially launched an online application process for a pilot program expanding foreign investment in value-added telecom services, following the unified deployment of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

To help foreign-invested enterprises understand the application requirements and procedures, the Shanghai Communications Administration, under the guidance of MIIT, has formulated a service guide for the pilot program on expanding foreign investment in value-added telecom services, which was recently published on its website.

As a pioneer in reform, opening-up, and innovation in China, Shanghai has been at the forefront of expanding foreign investment in telecom services. In 2014, the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone led the nation in launching a pilot program for foreign investment in value-added telecom services, establishing replicable and scalable practices.

With the further relaxation of foreign ownership restrictions in areas such as internet data centers, the pilot program encourages foreign enterprises to better allocate resources, increase supply, enrich product and service offerings in China's value-added telecom market, and promote the deep integration of digital technology with various aspects of society and the economy.

Foreign enterprises interested in participating in the pilot program can submit applications online through the MIIT's e-government service platform (https://ythzxfw.miit.gov.cn), under "政务服务(government services)" - "行政许可(administrative licensing)" - "电信和互联网业务(telecom and internet businesses)" - "电信业务经营许可(telecom business license)".

For policy inquiries, applicants can contact the Shanghai Municipal Economic and Information Technology Commission at +86-21-60801129. For guidance on the application process, they can reach out to the Shanghai Communications Administration at +86-21-63905098. Project declarations can be made to Pudong New Area at +86-21-58788388 ext. 64417.