MPHPT Communications News Vol.16

With the purpose of promoting mutual understanding and cooperation/collaboration of Japan and China in the info-communications field, on November 15, MPHPT and the Ministry of Information Industry (MII), the People's Republic of China, held the 7th Regular Bilateral Consultation in Beijing, and exchanged a wide range of opinions on info-communications policy of the two countries. At the consultation, both sides agreed to promote further cooperation on the following items toward realization of an environment for use of the next-generation ICT including the next-generation Internet (IPv6).

At the same time, MPHPT had a meeting separately with Mr. Wu Jichuan, Minister of Information Industry, and Mr. Zhang Ming De, President of the China Academy of Telecommunications Research.

1. Outline of Regular Bilateral Consultation
1) Promotion of the next-generation Internet (IPv6)
Japan and China agreed that the two countries will aggressively promote penetration of IPv6 in the Asian region, such as encouraging various research and development in collaboration among the two parties. As the first step, Japan and China agreed to promote joint research of research institutes in the two countries.

2) The next-generation mobile communication systems (3G and 4G)
Japan and China agreed that the two countries will exchange opinions intensively for early introduction of the third-generation (3G) mobile communication systems (IMT-2000) in China. In addition, the two agreed to exchange information for realizing the fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication systems, which are identified as the mobile communication systems coming after IMT-2000.

3) Strengthening collaboration concerning pro-competitive policies
Regarding pro-competitive policies in the telecommunications industry, the two countries exchanged opinions on the current competition environment in the telecommunications market and progress of pro-competitive policies, etc.

4) ICT strategy
Both sides presented their ICT policies, followed by opinion exchange. The two agreed on the importance of promoting ICT as national strategies.

5) Future Japan-China cooperation
As for Japan-China cooperation in the info-communications field, the two countries agreed to proceed with talks on details toward constructing the "Japan-China ICT partnership," including establishment of a private-public conference, as a comprehensive collaborative framework between Japan and China.

2. Meeting with Minister Wu Jichuan
Minister Wu voiced his appreciation for intensive collaboration in policy and technology with MPHPT since the time of former Chinese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and Japanese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, and said that he desires to strengthen further collaborative relations with MPHPT, based on the drastic changes of China's information industry as well as China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Minister Wu also stated that he would welcome the visit of the Minister of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications to China.

3. Meeting with Mr. Zhang Ming De, President, the China Academy of Telecommunications Research
President Zhang expressed his appreciation that the Japan-China 3G mobile communications workshop in March 2001, in which he had participated in upon invitation from MPHPT, had been very fruitful. With regard to progress of the 3G in China, President Zhang claimed China's aggressive and cautious engagement by explaining current system verification experiments for checking operation thereof.

Reference
1. Date of consultation: November 15, 2001
2. Venue: the Ministry of Information Industry, the People's Republic of China (Beijing)
3. Participants:
(Japan) Mr. Kaoru Kanazawa, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, MPHPT, Mr. Shinichiro Sakata, Deputy Director-General of the Minister's Secretariat, MPHPT, etc.
(China) Mr. Zhang, Vice Minister of Ministry of Information Industry, Mr. Qu, Deputy Director-General, Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Information Industry, etc.

The 11th Japan-Canada Regular Bilateral Consultation Held

On November 7, 2001, for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding and strengthening cooperative ties between Japan and Canada in the info-communications field, MPHPT and Industry Canada held the 11th Regular Bilateral Consultation and exchanged opinions on the issues in the info-communications field in both Japan and Canada.
At the meeting, opinions were exchanged on the "regulatory reform," "IT strategy," "mobile communications" and "multilateral cooperation," and the two administrations agreed to construct further close relationships in the info-communications field between Japan and Canada.

Result of the meeting
1. Promoting regulatory reforms and IT strategies
Two sides exchanged views on their pro-competition policies and IT strategies, and agreed to maintain closer collaboration between Japan and Canada from now on.

2. Cooperation for bridging the international digital divide
Two sides exchanged opinions on the two countries' measures for bridging the international digital divide, and agreed to cooperate on the implementation of the Genoa Action Plan, the plan for closing the international digital divide adopted at the G8 Summit Meeting in 2001. Above all, in order to support developing countries' policy making of national e-strategies, both sides affirmed to carry out study on the construction of a network providing information on best practices and resources in relevant fields.

3. Cooperation toward earlier diffusion of the third-generation (3G) mobile communications
Information was exchanged on the two parties' development stages of mobile communications, and cellular phone silencers (jamming equipment) to block cellular phone signals in public facilities. Opinions were also exchanged on measures for promoting the diffusion of 3G mobile communications systems, and agreed to collaborate thereof.

4. Cooperation toward promotion of earlier enactment of Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
The two parties exchanged opinions on the Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) for telecommunications terminal equipment, and decided to continue experts' practical discussion from now on.

5. Cooperation for successful World Summit on the Information Society
Opinions were exchanged on the two countries' efforts for the "World Summit on the Information Society," the United Nations' event to be held in 2003 (Geneva) and 2005 (Tunisia), in which the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) plays a leading role as a preparatory secretariat, as well as for ITU reforms and for the World Radiocommunication Conference 2003. The two re-confirmed that they would support the ITU and maintain closer collaboration for the success of the World Summit.

6. Cooperation at the World Trade Organization (WTO)
Opinions were exchanged on measures for the new round at WTO ministerial meeting in Ad Dawhah (Doha). Japan and Canada agreed to recognize the importance of launching the new round, and to play a major role in WTO members' further liberalization efforts in the telecommunications field and in creation of the environment for electronic commerce.

Reference
The 11th Japan-Canada Regular Bilateral Consultation participants:
(Japan) Mr. Kaoru Kanazawa, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination, MPHPT, etc.
(Canada) Mr. John Banigan, Assistant Deputy Minister, Industry Canada, etc.

"Panel on Future Image of Broadcasting in Broadband Age" to Be Held

1. Purpose
With the view of foreseeable progress in broadband information and communications networks, the "Panel on Future Image of Broadcasting in Broadband Age" was established for deliberations from multifaceted perspectives on various issues relating to broadcasting in the broadband age.

2. Main topics (example)
i) Future images of broadcasting services in the broadband age
ii) Roles of broadcasting as expected
iii) Measures to promote digitalization of broadcasting
iv) Measures to promote content and services
v) Roles in human resources development
vi) Others

3. Schedule
The first meeting was held on November 28, 2001

4. Management
i) The panel is identified as an advisory body to the Minister of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Communications.
ii) A chair is to be set for the panel.
iii) The chair is to be elected through mutual election by members.
iv) Other issues necessary for the operation are to be decided by the chair.