Understanding China's telecommunications policymaking and reforms: a tale of transition toward liberalization

Abstract

By drawing on institutional theory and bargaining theory, this paper analyzes China's telecommunications policymaking mechanism, an important but less-explored issue. Key factors of shaping China's telecommunications policy are examined and the implementation of China's telecommunications policy in network development, competition, foreign direct investment, and regulatory restructuring is investigated. Finally, the impacts of China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) on its telecommunications reform and transition are discussed.