On September 14, 2016, Minister Wan Gang met with a delegation headed by Mr. Zhao Houlin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (“ITU”) in the Ministry of Science and Technology. The two sides exchanged views on cooperation in science and technology innovation and information standardization, innovation potentials of small- and medium-sized enterprises and other topics.

Wan pointed out that it is now a stage of cross-over development in wireless communications and the whole world should actively push forward open and integrated utilization of resources and engage in international cooperation. He said that efforts should be made to push forward and implement the Belt & Road Initiative through opening and sharing and improve Chinese enterprises’ ability to innovate while helping other developing countries.

Zhao briefed on the main work of ITU and remarked that ITU has been striving to push forward the development of communications technology standards and actively encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to innovate. He gave high recognition to China’s current efforts to implement an innovation-driven development strategy and promote mass innovation and entrepreneurship, saying that small and medium-sized enterprises are the source of innovation. He pointed out that the world is on the eve of the fourth industrial revolution and this information industry revolution will give rise to more emerging industries and innovative enterprises.

Background information:
The International Telecommunication Union (“ITU”) was founded in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union. In 1947, ITU became a specialized agency of the United Nations. Currently, it has 193 member states and over 700 sectoral members. Its tenet is to maintain and expand cooperation between member states and sectoral members and promote the rational utilization of telecommunications resources; to provide technical assistance to developing countries; to promote the development of telecommunications facilities and improve the efficiency of telecommunications services; and to push forward the development of new technology and its promotion and application around the world. ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The ITU Secretariat employs approximately 800 staff. Mr. Zhao Houlin is the current Secretary-General of ITU. He took office in January 2015 with a term of 4 years. He is the first Chinese Secretary-General of ITU since ITU was founded.