China, Japan to cooperate on 3G mobile phone technology

Apr. 29, 2009 (China Knowledge) - China and Japan are seeking cooperation on next-generation mobile phone services, a partnership that would help China develop its wireless technology and would help Japanese providers expand in the Chinese market, Reuters reported on Monday, citing a Japanese government official as saying.

2G mobile technology is still dominant in China, while Japan has already adopted the 3G technology, enabling users to enjoy higher-speed data transmission.

Japanese mobile phone makers, including Sharp Corp and Panasonic Corp, have been working on business expansions in the Chinese market, where foreign firms account for over 70% of the mobile phone market, but have had difficulty competing with rivals like Nokia Corp, partly due to technological differences.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso are expected to agree on an alliance in new equipment and broadband services during their meeting on today in Beijing, according to a report by Nikkei Business Daily.