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The article presents issues about the status of digital terrestrial television (DTV) standard in China. Some companies claim that the standard is closely guarded by one or two local companies, but other insists that it is open to the public. Siano Mobile Silicon Ltd. and DiBcom allege that the standard, known as Digital Media Broadcasting-Terrestrial, (DMB-T), is not as open as one might think, the reason why it would not support it as an alternative to satellite for mobile phones.

The article reports that China's own digital terrestrial TV standard which is just going to be prepared is threatening the viability of European-invented Digital Video Broadcast-based DVB-Hand-held and a South Korean derivative of Digital Audio Broadcasting known as Terrestrial-Digital Multimedia Broadcasting. This is more so because the authorities in China are giving it priority. The Chinese standard is designed for both fixed and mobile devices and its higher bandwidth will give it an advantage for data services and offer more video channels than T-DM3.

The article focuses on the lessons learned from the controversy over the faked development of a homegrown digital signal processor by Chen Jin, Microelectronics Department dean at the Jiaotong University in Shanghai, China. The government needs to review process and goals of academic projects before considering it for government funds. The country should focus on other parts of the food chain such as software development and slices of intellectual property.

Reports on the promotion of the standard Intelligent Grouping and Resource Sharing (IGRS), a homegrown standard for interoperability among electronic devices in the home, in China. Significance of the new standards in competing with similar overseas standards developed by the Digital Home Working Group; Similarity of the IGRS to an effort sponsored by Intel Corp. and promoted by the Digital Home Working Group; Benefits of the IGRS for several companies demonstrating products that uses the standard.

Outlines the plans of Sun Microsystems Inc. to collaborate with China's Digital Television Industrial Alliance (DTVIA) to define an interactive digital television specification for the Chinese market. Scheduled completion and trial of the standard; Application of Java programming language; Membership of DTVIA.

Comments on the emerging digital divide and other telecommunication issues in China. Potential cultural impact of the Internet on China; Conflicting messages conveyed by China's officials regarding the country's economic strength and need to develop infrastructure to attract foreign investment.