China’s push to lead AI-driven communication: patents, innovation, and global competition

On a technical level, one of the most significant trends in the global information and communication industry today is the deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with communication connectivity technologies. From network infrastructure to terminal devices, every layer of the communication ecosystem is being reshaped by AI. Network operators are using AI to optimize traffic and reduce latency; equipment suppliers are embedding AI in systems for predictive maintenance; and device manufacturers are offering increasingly personalized and intelligent products. The convergence of AI and communication technology is not only redefining efficiency and user experience but also reshaping global innovation competition.

Within the Asia-Pacific region, China’s performance in this technological evolution stands out prominently. Building upon its strong foundation in communication connectivity, internet technology, and AI research, China has rapidly advanced the integration of AI throughout the communication industry value chain.

National policies such as the New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan and Digital China Strategy have provided both strategic direction and financial support, stimulating coordinated R&D efforts across academia, state laboratories, and industry. As a result, Chinese enterprises – from upstream semiconductor and chip designers to downstream device manufacturers – are actively deploying AI to drive commercial success.

Big equipment suppliers are leading this wave. They are using AI to enhance 5G network management, improve edge computing efficiency, and develop intelligent terminals. Meanwhile, emerging firms are innovating in AI-enabled communication chips, network security, and data management systems, ensuring that AI permeates every segment of the industry.

China’s rapid progress is reflected not only in commercial deployment but also in its intellectual property (IP) footprint. The country views technological leadership and ownership of core IP as critical levers in global competition. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), China is now the world’s largest applicant for AI-related patents. In generative AI specifically, Chinese patent filings are roughly six times greater than those of the US, highlighting the country’s aggressive innovation drive and its determination to secure key technological positions.

In the communication field, this patent leadership is even more evident. The 2025 Patently report on global 5G standard-essential patents (SEPs) shows that Chinese companies account for 40.8% of all declared SEPs. China has also maintained its world-leading position in 6G patent applications, signalling its intent not merely to participate but to define the next generation of communication standards.

Moreover, Chinese firms are increasingly joining international patent pools as licensors, shifting from a reactive role in global standard-setting to one of active rulemaking. This evolution underscores China’s growing confidence and its long-term strategy to anchor itself at the centre of global technology governance.

While China’s rise in patent activity is unmatched in scale, comparisons with the US and EU reveal interesting contrasts in focus and quality.

It appears that the US remains a leader in foundational innovation – particularly in AI algorithms, semiconductor design, and high-performance computing. American firms like Qualcomm, NVIDIA, and IBM continue to dominate the upstream technological ecosystem, translating core research into commercial and patentable breakthroughs.

The EU, by contrast, maintains a stronghold in system-level innovations, network standards, and regulatory leadership. Companies such as Nokia and Ericsson remain influential in global standardization bodies like 3GPP and ITU, while the EU’s emphasis on “trustworthy AI” and ethical governance provides a complementary dimension to its technological capability.

China’s competitive advantage lies in scale, integration, and speed. Its massive patent output, coupled with state-backed coordination between AI and communication sectors, has enabled it to close the quality gap rapidly. Increasingly, independent analyses find that Chinese patents – once criticized for low originality – now demonstrate higher essentiality and stronger global relevance.

Looking ahead, the next phase of global competition in the ICT sector will centre on AI-driven communication networks – autonomous systems capable of self-optimization, real-time resource allocation, and intelligent security management.

China is investing heavily in these areas, particularly in AI-assisted 6G network design, quantum communication, and intelligent sensing technologies. Despite facing challenges from both geopolitical pressures and domestic economic adjustments, China has already secured a decisive advantage in the race to integrate AI and communication technologies. Its dominance in patent filings, coupled with a growing emphasis on innovation quality, ensures that China’s influence on the future of global communication technology will continue to expand.

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