In September 2023, according to the Radio Association of China, making a law on radio spectrum resources managed to be listed in the legislative plan of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, meaning developments will formally begin.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ( MIIT) has led the progression of this law since 2021. The basic consideration is that under the new situation where various radio technology applications have been accelerated and radio spectrum resources gradually become scarce, an independent law on radio spectrum resources is necessary because:

-   It is an important means to alleviate the structural shortage contradiction of radio spectrum resources and optimize the allocation of radio spectrum resources.

-   Electromagnetic space security is an integral part of the overall national security concept.

-   The top-level design of electromagnetic space security and the overall coordination of spectrum resources in China need to be strengthened.

-   The top-level system design needs to be strengthened from the national legal level to meet the strategic needs of ensuring national security under the new situation.

Several efforts have been put under the organizing of MIIT on pre-research, including:

-   Deep and thorough legislative studies on necessity, key issues to be addressed, and the main framework.

-   A preliminary draft was formulated based on the research results.

-   Well-prepared application materials following China’s legislative process.

Based on the information collected, the main contents of the draft are very likely to include:

-   Establish a national coordination mechanism for the management of radio spectrum resources.

-   Establish an overall planning system for radio spectrum resources.

-   Consolidate a market-based allocation mechanism for spectrum resources.

-   Elaborate on the frequency adjustment compensation and frequency recovery system.

-   Specify the overall management mechanism of satellite frequency orbit resources.

-   Giving clarity to the electromagnetic space security guarantee system.

-   Put forward the radio management guarantee system.

-   Further clarify relevant legal responsibilities.

Foreign stakeholders, especially those in telecommunication and relevant sectors, are advised to follow the future possible call-for-comment action and other future measures regarding the law.