No.382 July 17, 2009
Special Issues  
USITO Co-Hosts Forum on Sustainability of Comsumer Electronics
USITO President Briefing in Washington DC, July 17
 

On July 10th, the ¡°International Forum on Sustainable Development of Consumer Electronics¡± was held in Qingdao of Shandong Province, as a sideline event to the China Int'l Consumer Electronics Show (SinoCES). It discussed two main topics of recycling of waste electrical and electronic products as well as the energy efficiency of the electronic industry. Julia Zhu of USITO attended the event and moderated the afternoon session. Click here for Chinese official report

Top Story

The Reproduction Administration Measures to Take Effect Since August

According to a 7/9/2009 post in www.gov.cn, the General Administration of Press and Publication (GAPP) of China has formulated the Measures for Reproduction Management, which is allegedly aimed at boosting management and pushing the healthy development of China's reproduction sector. The regulation, to come effective since 8/1/2009, is formulated based on the Regulations on Publication Management and Regulations on Administration of Audio-visual Products.

GAPP said the new regulation will replace the "Measures for the Management of the Reproduction of Audio-visual Products", which was published by GAPP on 2/1/1996. The authority also said if other provisions on publication management have discrepancies, the new one - Measures for Reproduction Management, shall prevail. The regulation carries six chapters and 43 articles, including General Provisions, The Institution of Reproduction Units, The Management of Reproduction Manufacturing Equipments, The Management of Reproduction Business Activity, Legal Responsibilities and Supplementary Provisions.

The new regulation nails down quite a few key concepts such as "Reproduction Business Activity", and specifies qualifications for establishing reproduction units, and identifies management requirements of reproduction manufacturing equipments. In addition, it calls for strengthening the supervision and administration of reproduction activities and enhancing relevant organs' responsibilities. It states that the licenses of the infringing parties will be revoked and their legal representatives and their executives are subject to be excluded from the business for ten years after the revocation of business licenses. www.gov.cn, 7/9/2009

USITO Notes: The case is another evidence of the ongoing government effort in building a more rational and workable IPR protection framework. The new regulation attempts to strengthen the control on reproduction by redefining what the legal reproduction activities are, since "as technology develops, the situation are more complicated and can hardly be defined by existing regulations", as the gov.cn commentary states. In sectors like computer software and recordable CDs, reproduction activities are quite pervasive, but a big portion can't be justified as legitimate or not.

The past year 2008 was the inaugural year for the implementation of China's national intellectual property strategy. During the year, the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) released a white paper on China's IPR protection issues, with a focus on overviewing the growth stages of Chinese IPR system and related isues in the past several decades. In late 2008, the Ministry of Publicity (Propaganda) offered a guiding opinion on the publicity of the 2008 Action Plan for IPR Protection in China, issuing the Publicity Plan on Campaign of a Cleansing Publication Market and IPR Protection. The authorities have also organized many activities included the nationwide destruction of pirated and illegal publications, as well as the campaign of "No counterfeit sold in thousands of shops in hundreds of cities". The series of promotional campaigns have partially helped improving public awareness of China's IPR system(Members please click here for a list of government IPR campaigns in 2008). With the new reproduction regulation in place, the IPR enforcement agencies would be more capable of identifying these "countereit copies".


U.S. and China Forge Clean Energy Ties

This week two senior USG officials, the Trade Secretary Gary Locke and Energy Secretary Steven Chu, came to China visiting their counterparts. In a series of meetings the officials from both sides discussed the opening of Chinese markets to U.S. green technology, and how China can better reduce its gas emissions. As Mr. Locke said, " "Secretary Chu and I measured the success of this trip by answering the simple question of whether America and China can increase their cooperation in the development... of clean energy and energy efficient technologies."

The discussions seemed fruitful. The two world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases agreed to announce the establishment of a joint clean energy research centre, supposed to study issues including energy efficiency, clean coal technology and low-polluting cars.

Locke and Chu have met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao as well as a few other top officials on environment, trade and other issues. But it seems no further substantial results were yielded at the current stage. A Xinhua report says the U.S. Congress is considering legislation that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020 and 83% by 2050, while China tends to think such cuts are not enough and that developed nations need to commit more. xinhuanet.cn, 7/16/2009

USITO Notes: Environment issue is on top of the agenda of Locke and Chu's visit to China, reflecting the top level attention on this subject. The topic is also one of the priorities in next week's new round of Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SED) held in DC. The importance of this issue has been resonated well with USITO's Sustainability Work Group, which strives to address issues with the Chinese counterparts on energy efficiency, wasted electronics handling, greenhouse gas emissions, among others. We are honored to have Ms. Jing Lin on board since August 1, 2009, who will specially take on the sustainability issues of USITO (detailed announcement to be sent out soon).

China Reassures Foreign Business

The investigation into the alleged theft of state secrets by mining giant Rio Tinto employees would not affect China's cooperation with multinational companies, according to Chinese government, since this was an independent judicial case that had seriously hurt China's economic security and interests. It also doesn't mean China wants to restrict foreign companies' business in China or restrain the cooperation between Chinese and foreign companies, and China remains the top destination among developing countries for global foreign direct investment for 17 years in a row. Detail

Member in the News: Huawei and Intel Cooperate on R&D Center

Huawei announced to work with Intel for King Abdulaziz City to provide the Wireless Technologies R&D Center with state-of-the-art solution, including base stations, access network gateway, authentication servers and other needed equipment and software, in preparation for launching operations at the center in the next few months. Intel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Huawei to this effect in a ceremony. Detail

Knowledge Center 3G Industry Overview and Analysis, June 2009
*** Members click here to download ***
Selected Chinese Media Reports
 

Regulations

MIIT Approves PTN as a New Network Access Type

Sources from the Bureau of Telecommunication Administration of MIIT said PTN (packet transmission network) has been approved as new network access type for telecom equipment, and relevant tests have been completed. This marked the government's recognition of PTN technology and equipment types. Some leading vendors such as Huawei and Alcatel-Lucent had introduced PTN product series. MIIT's purpose of making PTN a separate network access type is to ensure the quality of products used in large scale application of PTN through setting up a threshold of network access tests and certification. PTN is a new generation packet transmission technology developed to respond to new trends, not only providing telecom technology support for evolution of current networks to IP-based, broadband networks, but also reducing the cost in construction, operation and maintenance of networks. Chinese Text

New Rules for Waste Household Appliances

The Ministry of Environmental Protection published the Guidelines for Strengthening Environmental Management for Dismantling and Disposal of Waste Household Appliances when Implementing Household Appliances Trade-in Policy, calling for environmental protection authorities in pilot provinces and municipalities to increase the environmental awareness, strengthen understandings, and pay attention to the work on dismantling and disposal of waste household appliances. According to it, authorities in pilot provinces and municipalities should study and work out regulatory measures for supervision of dismantling and disposal of waste household appliances, and urge relevant enterprises to establish daily environmental management systems. Relevant enterprises should dismantle and dispose waste household appliances in line with laws and relevant regulations, to ensure emissions of various pollutants reach acceptable standards. Chinese Text

China Revises National Standard for Handset Charger

Sources said that at the 21st meeting of the Telecom Terminal Equipment Working Group of the Network and Switching Technology Committee (TC3) of China Communications Standards Association (CCSA), China initiated the process to revise the flat standard for handset chargers. In December 2006, the Technical Requirements and Test Methods for Chargers and Interfaces of Mobile Handsets (YD/T1591-2006) prepared by CCSA was published by the former Ministry of Information Industry for compulsory implementation. As it specifies unified requirements for domestic handset chargers for the first time, this document was widely regarded as a de facto National Standard. ¡°Taking into account future trends of handset equipment, the existing standard needs to be modified and supplemented, in terms of name, structure, specific requirements and test methods,¡± according to CCSA executives. Chinese Text

Six Measures to Promote the Development of Consumer Electronics Industry

Zhou Zixue, General Economist of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said at a theme summit of the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Industry Forum held in Qingdao on July 9 that six measures need to be taken to promote the development of the consumer electronics industry under the guidance of the Scientific Outlook on Development: (1) Maintain a favorable climate for industry development; (2) Boost indigenous innovation capabilities, and accelerate structural adjustment; (3) Implement the strategy of standards, and increase the core competitiveness of the industry; (4) Promote energy-saving and environmental protection efforts, and build a green eco-agriculture; (5) Cultivate large companies with high competitive capabilities, and promote international cooperation; (6) Accelerate personnel training, and promote exchanges of talents. Chinese Text

Software

Changhong Partners with SAP

Sichuan Rainbow Consulting & Software Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Sichuan Changhong, signed a deal with SAP, marking the partnership between Rainbow and SAP. Rainbow, as an important partner of SAP in China , will work with SAP to provide quality services to more customers. SAP is the global top supplier of solutions in enterprise management and collaborative commerce, and the global third largest software supplier. Currently SAP software is used by over 86,000 users in 120 countries. Rainbow, Changhong's arm in consulting service industry, has over 10 years' experience in enterprise IT application planning, implementation and operation & maintenance, and has worked successfully on IT projects for a number of famed giants in various fields. Chinese Text

Pieces of Software Copyright Registration Grow 96% in H1

Sources from China Copyright Protection Center said that the first half of this year saw a rapid growth in the number of software copyright registration cases in China , and that of totally 29934 cases of software registration, the cases of software copyright registration accounted for 96%. As of June 30, there have been 29804 cases of software copyright registration application, a 112% growth, and 28748 cases have been approved, a 100% growth year on year. In terms of number of software copyright registration cases, top 5 provinces are Beijing , Guangdong , Zhejiang , Shanghai and Jiangsu , and the 5 fastest-growing provinces are Beijing , Guangdong , Zhejiang , Jiangsu and Fujian . Beijing ranked number one in the number of registration cases. Chinese Text

 

Trade & Investment

China Mobile to Invest RMB70b in Rural Areas in Next 3 Years

China Mobile signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture on July 14. Under the agreement, China Mobile will invest RMB 70b in the next 3 years in the deployment of communication infrastructures and IT application in rural areas. Network services will be extended to over 10000 natural villages every year, to ensure 100% administrative villages and over 98% natural villages nationwide can enjoy communication services. According to the agreement, both parties will join forces to accelerate the application of TD technologies in rural information efforts, and build TD-based E-office, video conference, grassroots E-government platform and nationwide emergency dispatch systems. Chinese Text

Top 100 Firms in 2009 Electronic Information Industry 

On July 11, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced the rankings of the 2009 top 100 in electronic information industry. Huawei Technologies ranked 1 st , with a operating revenue of RMB 122.7b in 2008, followed by Hai'er Group (RMB 122b) and Lenovo (115.2b). According to statistics released by MIIT, the combined operating revenues of the top 100 reached RMB 1.1194 trillion, accounting for 18% of the industry's total, while the top 100 achieved a total profit of RMB 39.4b, accounting for 22% of total. Chinese Text

Initial Procurement Policy for National Brands in Pipeline

¡°MIIT and other ministries are studying and considering the Initial Procurement Policy for homegrown brands,¡± said Liu Lihua, Director of the General Office of MIIT, at the 2009 Symposium on Government Procurement and Enterprise Development Opportunities. Jia Kang from the Ministry of Finance agreed that the Initial Procurement Policy will vigorously protect and promote the development of enterprises with intellectual property rights and proprietary brands, and can continuously increase their competitive capabilities and growth momentum. Participants to the event echoed the points and called for more opportunities to be given to domestic enterprises. The symposium was hosted by Guangming Daily and Shenzhen-based EVOC Intelligent Technology, aiming to discuss issues concerning Government Procurement and Enterprise Development Opportunities. Chinese Text

Nuance Builds Strategic Partnership with SinoVoice

U.S.-based Nuance announced that it entered into strategic partnership with SinoVoice. Nuance is the global top voice recognition technology supplier, controlling over 80% of the market for voice recognition products. SinoVoice Technology is a leading vendor of voice synthesis technology, having about 50% of the market. Both parties conducted an in-depth discussion on delivering fine quality voice technology total solutions. Currently no specific project is known. Chinese Text

3G Mobile Communications

TD Phase 3 Contracts Announced

The outcome of the competition for China Mobile ' s TD-SCDMA phase-3 network construction contracts involving 200 cities across China was announced, and ZTE, Huawei, Datang and Nokia-Siemens were top four winners, capturing a combined 79% share of the project, followed by Potevio (6%). China Mobile initiated this public bidding process for the tremendous TD network deployment project shortly after it won a TD license in the beginning of this January. Despite an initially announced procurement size of 39000 base stations, the actual number of base stations procured was 59000. According to an industry research company, the outcome of the public bidding process mirrors a favor towards domestic vendors with mature experience in independent R&D. Domestic vendors including ZTE, Datang, Huawei and Potevio acquired an absolutely majority of project shares. Chinese Text

Huawei Publishes First LTE Commercial Version

Huawei Technologies announced on July 13 that it published the globally first Long Term Evolution eNodeB commercial version at its global mobile users conference held in Munich , Germany . Huawei's LTE eNodeB was developed on the global leading and mature fourth generation base station platform, featuring a high hardware maturity. The publishing of this product marks Huawei has become the global first vendor with LTE application capabilities. According to Wan Biao, President of Huawei' s Wireless Products Line unit, the issue of the global first LTE commercial version has, again, enhanced Huawei's leadership in LTE. Chinese Text

Huawei Becomes Vodafone's Exclusive 2G/3G Network Supplier

Huawei and Vodafone announced that Vodafone has chosen Huawei as its exclusive supplier for deployment of 2G / 3G network in Czech. Under the 5-year contract, Huawei will adopt an advanced SingleRAN solution to expand the capacity of Vodafone's 3G network deployed in Czech, to satisfy the increasing demands of local users for mobile data services. Vodafone Czech is one of three top carriers in Czech. While expanding 3G network services, Vodafone has extended 2G EDGE services to 90% of Czech's population. Huawei just won a contract from Finland to deploy a SDR-based SingleRAN network, the first such network to be deployed in Europe . Chinese Text

 

USITO selected and translated the news summaries above. If you are interested in learning more details about the above Chinese language links, you are welcome to contact us (wenjie@usito.org) to sponsor the translation of that report.

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