View source for China Unicom

{{Short description|Chinese state-owned enterprise}}
{{Infobox company
| name = China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd.
| logo = China Unicom logo (2022).svg
| logo_size = 
| image = 
| image_caption = 
| native_name = {{lang|zh-CN|中国联合网络通信集团有限公司}}
| type = [[State-owned enterprise]]
| traded_as = {{ubl|{{SSE|600050}}{{#tag:ref|See [[#Stock|§Stock]] for the listing structure of the company.|group=nb}}|{{SEHK|762}}|[[Hang Seng Index]] component|[[CSI A100 Index|CSI A100]]}}
| industry = [[Telecommunications]]
| area_served = {{ubl|[[Mainland China]]|[[Hong Kong]]|[[Macau]]|[[North Korea]]}}
| foundation = {{start date and age|1994|6|18|df=y}}<ref name=ChinaUnicom2016AR/>
| founder = {{ubl|Ministry of Railways|Ministry of Electronics Industry|Ministry of Electric Power Industry}}
| key_people = 
| products = {{ubl|[[Landline|Fixed-line telephony]]|[[Mobile phone|Mobile telephony]]|[[Internet access]]|[[Digital television]] }}
| revenue = 
| revenue_year = 
| operating_income = 
| income_year = 
| net_income = 
| net_income_year = 
| assets = 
| assets_year = 
| equity = 
| equity_year = 
| owner = {{nowrap|[[State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council|Central People's Government]]}} (100%)
| num_employees = 244,508<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sohu.com/a/723816616_120086072 | title=运营商简报「2023年9月26日刊」三大运营商员工数据分析_中国电信_法治_项目 | website=[[Sohu]] }}</ref>
| num_employees_year = 2023
| subsid = {{aligned table|fullwidth=y|style=text-align: left; font-size: 100%;|China&nbsp;United Network&nbsp;Communications|(53.78%)|→ China Unicom (H.K.)|}}[[PCCW]] (18.46%)
| location = [[Xicheng, Beijing]], China
| homepage = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes = data obtained from China United Network Communications Ltd. (the accounts of the parent company was not disclosed); in [[consolidated financial statement]]; excluding minority interests to [[red chip]] minority shareholders<ref name=ChinaUnicom2016AR>{{cite web|url=http://static.sse.com.cn/disclosure/listedinfo/announcement/c/2017-03-16/600050_2016_n.pdf|title=2016 Annual Report|date=16 March 2017|access-date=25 August 2017|publisher=China United Network Communications Limited|language=zh|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825190019/http://static.sse.com.cn/disclosure/listedinfo/announcement/c/2017-03-16/600050_2016_n.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| module = {{Infobox NSP
| child = yes
| asn = 4837
| trafficlevels = 10-20&nbsp;Tbps<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.peeringdb.com/asn/4837 |title=PeeringDB |author=China Unicom |publisher=PeeringDB |access-date=October 31, 2022 |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208023131/https://www.peeringdb.com/asn/4837 |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
}}
{{Chinese
| title = China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd.
| s = 中国联合网络通信集团有限公司
| t = 中國聯合網絡通信集團有限公司
| altname = China Unicom
| s2 = 中国联通 or 联通
| t2 = 中國聯通 or 聯通
| p2 = Zhōngguó Liántōng
| altname3 = China Unicom Group
| s3 = 联通集团
| t3 = 聯通集團
| order = st
}}
'''China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd.''', [[doing business as]] '''China Unicom''', is a Chinese [[State-owned enterprise|state-owned]] [[Telecommunications company|telecommunications operator]]. Originally founded in 1994 as a [[Pager|wireless paging]] and [[GSM]] [[mobile operator]], it currently provides a range of services including mobile network, long-distance & local calling, data communication, Internet services, digital television, and IP telephony. As of 2022, China Unicom is the [[List of mobile network operators of the Asia Pacific region#China (mainland)|third-largest wireless carrier in China]] and the sixth largest mobile provider in the world.<ref name=":0232">{{Cite book |last=Roach |first=Stephen S. |author-link=Stephen S. Roach |url= |title=Accidental Conflict: America, China, and the Clash of False Narratives |date=2022 |publisher=[[Yale University Press]] |isbn=978-0-300-26901-7 |location=New Haven |page=217 |doi=10.12987/9780300269017 |jstor=j.ctv2z0vv2v |oclc=1347023475}}</ref>

== History ==
China Unicom, then known in Chinese as {{zh|s=中国联合通信有限公司|p=Zhōngguó liánhé tōngxìn yǒuxiàn gōngsī|out=s|labels=no}}, was founded as a [[state-owned enterprise]] in 1994<ref name=":0232" /> by the [[Ministry of Railways (China)|Ministry of Railways]], the Ministry of Electronics and the Ministry of Electric Power Industry;<ref name="statecouncil1993"/> the establishment was approved by the [[State Council of the People's Republic of China|State Council]] in December 1993.<ref name="statecouncil1993">{{cite press release|url=http://www.gov.cn/xxgk/pub/govpublic/mrlm/201012/t20101217_63189.html|title=关于同意组建中国联合通信有限公司的批复|date=14 December 1993|access-date=25 August 2017|publisher=State Council (China)|language=zh|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825234901/http://www.gov.cn/xxgk/pub/govpublic/mrlm/201012/t20101217_63189.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

China Unicom was among six state-owned companies that built the communications infrastructure and assisted in financing the [[Ministry of Industry and Information Technology]]'s Connecting Every Village Project, which began in 2004.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Shi |first=Song |title=China and the Internet: Using New Media for Development and Social Change |date=2023 |publisher=[[Rutgers University Press]] |isbn=9781978834736 |location=New Brunswick, NJ}}</ref>{{Rp|page=|pages=24-25}} The project aimed to promote universal [[Telecommunications in China|telecommunications]] and [[Internet in China|internet]] access in [[Rural society in China|rural China]].<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|pages=24-25}} The program successfully extended internet infrastructure throughout rural China and promoted development of the internet.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=25}}

China Unicom has operated a [[CDMA]] network in [[Macau]] since October{{nbsp}}18, 2006<ref>{{cite news|last1=CHENG|first1=Jingsheng|date=19 October 2006|title=中国联通CDMA澳门本地业务开通|language=zh|publisher=C114中国通信网|url=http://www.c114.net/news/119/a124815.html|url-status=live|access-date=24 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025021955/http://www.c114.net/news/119/a124815.html|archive-date=25 October 2017}}</ref> and internet services in [[North Korea]] since 2010.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Taylor|first=Adam|date=October 2, 2017|title=North Korea appears to have a new Internet connection — thanks to the help of a state-owned Russian firm|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/02/north-korea-appears-to-have-a-new-internet-connection-thanks-to-the-help-of-a-state-owned-russian-firm/|url-status=live|access-date=28 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703095822/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/10/02/north-korea-appears-to-have-a-new-internet-connection-thanks-to-the-help-of-a-state-owned-russian-firm/|archive-date=3 July 2020}}</ref> {{As of|2008|04|alt=As of the end of April 2008}}, the company had 125 million GSM subscribers and 43 million CDMA subscribers.<ref>{{cite web|title=China Unicom Subscriber Data|url=http://www.chinaunicom.com.hk/en/investor/monthly.html?year=2008&month=4&ym=2008%204|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004054422/http://www.chinaunicom.com.hk/en/investor/monthly.html?year=2008&month=4&ym=2008%204|archive-date=2011-10-04}}</ref> As of November 2008 the CDMA operations have been moved to [[China Telecommunications Corporation]] (China Telecom Group).<ref name="forbes">{{cite news|date=2 June 2008|title=ROUNDUP China Unicom acquires Netcom, sells CDMA assets as telco reorg takes off|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/06/02/afx5069042.html|access-date=10 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604010459/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2008/06/02/afx5069042.html|archive-date=4 June 2011}}</ref> On 7 January 2009, China Unicom was awarded [[UMTS#W-CDMA (UTRA-FDD)|WCDMA]] license to expand its business to [[3G]] telecommunication.<ref>{{cite news|date=2009|title=China awards 3G licences|url=http://www.brandrepublic.asia/DigitalMedia/Mobilearticle/2009_01/China-awards-3G-licences/33922|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327053951/http://www.brandrepublic.asia/DigitalMedia/Mobilearticle/2009_01/China-awards-3G-licences/33922|archive-date=2009-03-27}}</ref> [[UMTS]] ([[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System]]) was launched in major cities across China on May 17, 2009.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}

On July 11, 2020, China Unicom joined hands with [[Lu Han]] to launch the "FuLu Companion Card", which sounded the forward number for the further development of 5G. LuHan also officially unlocked his new identity and became a "China Unicom Innovation Partner", with the "FuLu companion card" to bring exclusive benefits and surprises to the majority of Unicom users.<ref>{{Cite web|title=官宣！|url=https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/HUwDpWlnXxm0usRYMvYvKA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711121514/https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/HUwDpWlnXxm0usRYMvYvKA|archive-date=2020-07-11|access-date=2020-07-11}}</ref>

===IPOs===
In February 2000 a subsidiary "China Unicom Hong Kong" was [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] in [[Hong Kong]] and was listed on the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]] on June 22, 2000.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

The intermediate parent company "China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited" was "China Unicom ([[British Virgin Islands|BVI]]) Limited", {{as of|2001|12|31}}, the BVI company owned 77.47% shares of China Unicom (H.K.). In turn, China Unicom (H.K.) owned the operating subsidiaries of the group. In 2002, another intermediate parent company "China United Network Communications Limited" was established in Shanghai (headquartered in Beijing), to own 51% stake of "China Unicom (BVI) Limited" as well as listing the shares in the [[Shanghai Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://static.sse.com.cn/disclosure/listedinfo/announcement/c/2002-09-17/600050_20020917_1.pdf|title=Prospectus|date=17 September 2002|access-date=26 August 2017|publisher=China United Network Communications|language=zh|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826113114/http://static.sse.com.cn/disclosure/listedinfo/announcement/c/2002-09-17/600050_20020917_1.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2002|12|31}}, state-owned China Unicom Group owned 74.6% shares of the A share company,<ref name=ChinaUnicom2002AR/>{{rp|8}} in turn the A share company owned 73.84% of the BVI company.<ref name=ChinaUnicom2002AR>{{cite web|url=http://static.sse.com.cn/disclosure/listedinfo/announcement/c/2003-04-02/600050_2002_n.pdf|title=2002 Annual Report|date=2 April 2003|access-date=26 August 2017|publisher=China United Network Communications|language=zh|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826153118/http://static.sse.com.cn/disclosure/listedinfo/announcement/c/2003-04-02/600050_2002_n.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|23}} The BVI company owned 77.47% shares of the [[red chip]] company.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2003/0414/LTN20030414100.htm|title=2002 Annual Report|chapter=Report of the Directors|date=14 April 2003|publisher=China Unicom (Hong Kong)|access-date=26 August 2017|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826121614/http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2003/0414/LTN20030414100.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> To sum up, the Chinese Government via A share company, owned 42.67% stake of the operating subsidiaries, as well as additional 20.27% stake by the minority stake in the BVI company.

===Merger with China Netcom===
On June 2, 2008, China Unicom announced its intention to sell its CDMA business and assets to China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom Group) for a combined total of 110 billion RMB<ref name=forbes/> and to merge the remainder of the company,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinaunicom.com.hk/en/press/pressrelease/news.html?id=4581|title=China Netcom / China Unicom Press Release about Merger|access-date=2008-06-02|archive-date=2015-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923202846/http://www.chinaunicom.com.hk/en/press/pressrelease/news.html?id=4581|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=August 2017}} in a share swap valued at US$56.3 billion (based on Unicom's stock last traded price) on June 2, 2008, with [[China Netcom]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/biz/5813474.html |title = China telecom companies agree to $56 billion merger |access-date=2008-06-10 |publisher = Houston Chronicle}}</ref> The CDMA business was officially moved to China Telecom in early November.{{Citation needed|date=December 2020}}

In July 2009, China Unicom signed a $700 million deal with infrastructure vendor [[Ericsson]] to upgrade the company's GSM network.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}

In April 2012, China Unicom was a founding member in the formation of Cloud Computing Industry Alliance in [[Beijing]]. Other members of the alliance include [[Baidu]], [[Tencent]], and [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brightwire.com/company/13248-china-unicom-hong-kong-ltd|title=China Unicom Hongkong|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118225545/http://www.brightwire.com/company/13248-china-unicom-hong-kong-ltd|archive-date=2013-01-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = China Cloud Computing Industry Alliance Established |url = http://www.brightwire.com/news/202013-china-establishes-cloud-computing-industry-alliance-in-beijing |publisher = BrightWire |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://archive.today/20120724063732/http://www.brightwire.com/news/202013-china-establishes-cloud-computing-industry-alliance-in-beijing |archive-date = 2012-07-24 }}</ref>

=== Partnership with Telefonica ===
In 2009, China Unicom (Hong Kong) agreed to a US$1 billion cross-holding with Spain's [[Telefónica]].<ref>{{cite web |date=21 October 2009 |title=Completion of Discloseable Transaction - Increase in Shareholding Interest in the Company by Telefonica and Investment by the Company in Telefonica |url=http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2009/1021/LTN20091021534.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825225715/http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2009/1021/LTN20091021534.pdf |archive-date=25 August 2017 |access-date=25 August 2017 |publisher=China Unicom (Hong Kong)}}</ref> In January 2011, the two partners agreed a further US$500 million tie-up in each other, which following completion in late 2011, Telefónica will hold a 9.7% shares in China Unicom (H.K.), while the red chip company will own 1.4% shares of the Spanish firm.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 January 2011 |title=Telefonica and China Unicom strengthen ties |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12261887 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124044037/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12261887 |archive-date=24 January 2011 |access-date=23 January 2011 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The companies also agreed to deepen their cooperation in areas such as procurement, mobile service platforms, service to MNC's wholesale carriers, roaming, technology, among others, where both companies have been cooperating since the signature of their strategic alliance agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telecommunications - China Unicom and Telefonica Strengthen Strategic Alliance |url=http://telecommunications.tmcnet.com/topics/telecommunications/articles/137943-china-unicom-telefonica-strengthen-strategic-alliance.htm |access-date=26 January 2011 |work=telecommunications.tmcnet.com |archive-date=17 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717064226/http://telecommunications.tmcnet.com/topics/telecommunications/articles/137943-china-unicom-telefonica-strengthen-strategic-alliance.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Telefonica and China Unicom |url=http://saladeprensa.telefonica.com/jsp/base.jsp?contenido=/jsp/notasdeprensa/notadetalle.jsp&id=0&origen=portada&idm=eng&pais=1&elem=16034&titulo=Telef%F3nica%20and%20China%20UNICOM%20s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908040027/http://saladeprensa.telefonica.com/jsp/base.jsp?contenido=%2Fjsp%2Fnotasdeprensa%2Fnotadetalle.jsp&id=0&origen=portada&idm=eng&pais=1&elem=16034&titulo=Telef%F3nica%20and%20China%20UNICOM%20s |archive-date=2015-09-08 |access-date=2022-06-29 |publisher=Telefónica}}</ref>

In June 2012, China United Network Communications Group (China Unicom Group), the ultimate parent company of Hong Kong listed company "China Unicom (Hong Kong)", had agreed to buy back about 1.1 billion shares (approx. 4.6% of the share capital) of the red chip company from Telefónica for an approx. HK$11 billion. (HK$10.21 per share; by [[Linked exchange rate system in Hong Kong|narrow band floating exchange rate]] approx. US$1.4&nbsp;billion), via an unlisted subsidiary "China Unicom Group Corporation (BVI) Limited". Immediate after the deal, Telefónica still owned 5% of China Unicom (H.K.).<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 11, 2012 |title=Spain's Telefonica sells Unicom stake for $1.4B |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/06/11/spains-telefonica-sells-unicom-stake-14b.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120613172208/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/06/11/spains-telefonica-sells-unicom-stake-14b.html |archive-date=June 13, 2012 |work=the jakarta post}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2012/0610/LTN20120610002.pdf |title=Announcement |date=10 June 2012 |access-date=25 August 2017 |publisher=China Unicom (Hong Kong) |archive-date=31 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731155625/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2012/0610/ltn20120610002.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014 Telefónica sold a further 2.5% shares of "China Unicom (H.K.)" for HK$6.66&nbsp;billion (HK$11.14 per share).<ref name="Telefonica2016AR">{{cite web |date=2017 |title=2016 Annual Report |url=https://www.telefonica.com/documents/153952/13347920/Consolidated_Annual_Accounts_2016.pdf/dc4fed73-51c2-433a-95d0-ef16910abbe9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825184435/https://www.telefonica.com/documents/153952/13347920/Consolidated_Annual_Accounts_2016.pdf/dc4fed73-51c2-433a-95d0-ef16910abbe9 |archive-date=25 August 2017 |access-date=25 August 2017 |publisher=Telefónica}}</ref>{{rp|379}}

During year 2016, Telefónica sold a further 1.51% shares of "China Unicom (H.K.)" for HK$2.822&nbsp;billion (HK$7.8 per share),<ref name="Telefonica2016AR" />{{rp|379}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lau |first1=Fiona |author2=Sumeet Chatterjee |date=9 July 2016 |title=Telefonica raises $364 million from China Unicom share sale: sources |work=Reuters |location=Hong Kong |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-unicom-hk-equity-telefonica-idUSKCN0ZP0CU |url-status=live |access-date=29 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190529032759/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-unicom-hk-equity-telefonica-idUSKCN0ZP0CU |archive-date=29 May 2019}}</ref> {{as of|2016|12|31|df=yes}} Telefónica owned 1% shares of the red chip company (decreased from 2.51% year-to-yearly), as well as Telefónica's director [[César Alierta]], still served as a director of "China Unicom (H.K.)".<ref name="Telefonica2016AR" />{{rp|62}}

===Mixed-ownership reform of state-owned enterprise===
In 2017 China Unicom became one of the pilot projects of the mixed-ownership reform of the Chinese state-owned enterprise, which saw a decrease in the Government's ownership.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ftchinese.com/story/001073941|script-title=zh:联通混改“得”与“失”|trans-title="Pros" and "Cons" of the mixed-ownership reform of China Unicom|date=28 August 2017|work=The Financial Times (Chinese edition)|last={{lang|zh|郑}}|first={{lang|zh|志刚}}|access-date=17 November 2017|language=zh|archive-date=17 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117180448/http://www.ftchinese.com/story/001073941|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2017 the Class A listed company of the group introduced ten strategic investors: state-controlled [[China Structural Reform Fund]], state-controlled listed company [[China Life Insurance Company|China Life Insurance]], a private equity fund ({{zh|s=腾讯信达有限合伙企业|l=Tencent–Cinda Limited Partnership}}) that was owned by [[China Cinda Asset Management]] and a company related to [[Tencent]],{{#tag:ref|An indirect unit holder of the fund ({{zh|s=深圳市腾讯产业投资基金|l=Shenzhen Tencent Industry Investment Fund}}), was owned by some managers of Tencent. It was stated as a "new OPCO" (new operating company) of Cayman-incorporated listed company Tencent Holdings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tencent.com/en-us/articles/1700031455593767.pdf|title=2014 Annual Report|date=2015|access-date=28 August 2017|publisher=Tencent|archive-date=28 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828102542/https://www.tencent.com/en-us/articles/1700031455593767.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group="nb"}} a private equity fund partially owned by [[Baidu]]{{#tag:ref|One of the unit holder of the fund was indirectly owned by Baidu Netcom Science Technology ({{zh|s=百度网讯科技}}); the stake of Baidu Netcom was 99.5% owned by [[Robin Li]]; the stake was pledged to Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) ({{zh|s=百度在线网络技术(北京)}}), an indirect subsidiary of Cayman-incorporated [[Baidu|Baidu Inc.]], thus it was considered as part of Baidu Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/18/188488/Baidu%202016%2020F.pdf|title=2016 Annual Report|date=2017|access-date=27 August 2017|publisher=Baidu|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827093907/http://media.corporate-ir.net/media_files/IROL/18/188488/Baidu%202016%2020F.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Another indirect unit holder ({{zh|s=北京鼎鹿中原科技}}), owned by some of the managers of Baidu, was linked to Baidu by the Chinese media, but Baidu denied to comment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tech.ifeng.com/a/20141009/40831202_0.shtml|title=百度"曲线入股"华策影视 鼎鹿中原10亿参与增发|date=9 October 2014|access-date=27 August 2017|work=新京报|publisher=re-published by ifeng.com|language=zh|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827084557/http://tech.ifeng.com/a/20141009/40831202_0.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> |group="nb"}} and [[Industrial Bank (China)|Industrial Bank]] ({{zh|s=百度鹏寰投资合伙企业}}), a private equity fund that related to [[JD.com]] ({{zh|s=京东三弘企业管理中心|l=Jingdong Sanhong}}),{{#tag:ref|The indirect unit holder of the private equity fund ({{zh|s=江苏京东邦能投资管理有限公司|l=Jingdong Bangneng Investment Management}}) was 45% owned by Liu Qiangdong founder of [[JD.com]] (Jingdong) and 55% by Sun Jiaming ({{zh|s=孙加明}}), a senior manager of JD.com. Jingdong Bangneng was listed as a consolidated [[variable interest entity]] of JD.com<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1549802/000110465916111984/a16-3659_120f.htm |title=FORM 20-F |access-date=2017-08-28 |archive-date=2017-08-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828103008/https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1549802/000110465916111984/a16-3659_120f.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>|group="nb"}} a public company Ali Venture Capital ({{zh|s=阿里创业投资}}),{{#tag:ref|The stake of the company was 80% owned by [[Jack Ma]], but also pledged to [[Alibaba Group]]. It was considered as a subsidiary and/or consolidated entity of Alibaba Group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1577552/000119312514184994/d709111dex211.htm|title=List of Significant Subsidiaries and Consolidated Entities of Alibaba Group Holding Limited|publisher=Alibaba Group|format=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|SEC filing]]|access-date=2017-08-27|archive-date=2014-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512174121/http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1577552/000119312514184994/d709111dex211.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>|group="nb"}} a public company [[Suning Commerce Group]] and three minor private equity funds that was subscribed by companies such as [[Kuang-Chi]] and [[CRRC Group]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cj.sina.com.cn/article/detail/1660297672/370860?column=china&ch=9|title=联通混改的本质|date=22 August 2017|access-date=25 August 2017|last=邓|first=元杰|publisher=[[Sina Corp|Sina]]|language=zh|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825185613/http://cj.sina.com.cn/article/detail/1660297672/370860?column=china&ch=9|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cninfo.com.cn/cninfo-new/disclosure/sse/bulletin_detail/true/1203829681?announceTime=2017-08-21|title=非公开发行A股股票预案|date=21 August 2017|access-date=25 August 2017|publisher=China United Network Communications|language=zh|via=cninfo.com.cn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927202152/http://www.cninfo.com.cn/cninfo-new/disclosure/sse/bulletin_detail/true/1203829681?announceTime=2017-08-21|archive-date=27 September 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the same year, the fund raised by the A share company was injected to the Hong Kong incorporated [[red chip]] company, via "China Unicom (BVI) Limited", for HK$13.24 per share (for a maximum of 6.64 billion share / HK$88&nbsp;billion).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/brief-china-unicom-hong-kong-enters-shar-idUSFWN1L80PA|title=BRIEF-China Unicom Hong Kong enters share subscription agreement with controlling shareholder Unicom Bvi|date=22 August 2017|access-date=27 August 2017|work=Reuters|archive-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827085153/https://www.reuters.com/article/brief-china-unicom-hong-kong-enters-shar-idUSFWN1L80PA|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== U.S. sanctions ===
{{See also|United States sanctions against China|Military-civil fusion}}
In October 2019, a group of U.S. senators urged the [[Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board]] to divest U.S. pension money from any investment in China Unicom for providing telecommunications services to [[Territorial disputes in the South China Sea|disputed artificial islands in the South China Sea]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Delevingne |first1=Lawrence |last2=McCrank |first2=John |date=2019-10-22 |title=Senators urge U.S. retirement fund to reverse China investment decision |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trade-china-msci-idUSL2N277123 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-08-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105154151/https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-trade-china-msci-idUSL2N277123 |archive-date=2019-11-05}}</ref> In August 2020, the [[United States Department of Defense]] published a list of companies operating directly or indirectly in the United States with ties to the [[People's Liberation Army]]. China Unicom was included on the list.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 28, 2020 |title=DOD Releases List of Additional Companies, in Accordance with Section 1237 of FY19 NDAA |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2328894/dod-releases-list-of-additional-companies-in-accordance-with-section-1237-of-fy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830192407/https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2328894/dod-releases-list-of-additional-companies-in-accordance-with-section-1237-of-fy/ |archive-date=30 August 2020 |access-date=30 August 2020 |website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=August 28, 2020 |title=Qualifying Entities Prepared in Response to Section 1237 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (PUBLIC LAW 105–261) |url=https://media.defense.gov/2020/Aug/28/2002486689/-1/-1/1/LINK_1_1237_TRANCHE-23_QUALIFYING_ENTITIES.PDF |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828202056/https://media.defense.gov/2020/Aug/28/2002486689/-1/-1/1/LINK_1_1237_TRANCHE-23_QUALIFYING_ENTITIES.PDF |archive-date=28 August 2020 |access-date=30 August 2020 |website=U.S. Department of Defense}}</ref>

In October 2020, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) requested the [[United States Department of Justice]] report whether China Unicom poses a "national security risk".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=2020-10-16 |title=FCC asks Justice Department to weigh in on China Unicom U.S. operations |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-telecom-idUSKBN2712VG |url-status=live |access-date=2020-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018083907/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-telecom-idUSKBN2712VG |archive-date=2020-10-18}}</ref>

In November 2020, the [[Donald Trump|U.S. President]] issued an [[Executive Order 13959|executive order]] prohibiting U.S. companies and individuals owning stocks that the United States Department of Defense deemed to have links to the People's Liberation Army - which included China Unicom.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=Shawna |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Trump bans Americans from investing in 31 companies with links to Chinese military |work=[[Axios (website)|Axios]] |url=https://www.axios.com/china-military-trump-investments-ban-a0458e29-2245-4bde-920b-d1c6bc698370.html |url-status=live |access-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113055204/https://www.axios.com/china-military-trump-investments-ban-a0458e29-2245-4bde-920b-d1c6bc698370.html |archive-date=November 13, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pamuk |first1=Humeyra |last2=Alper |first2=Alexandra |last3=Ali |first3=Idrees |date=2020-11-12 |title=Trump bans U.S. investments in firms linked to Chinese military |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-securities-exclusive-idUSKBN27S2X3 |url-status=live |access-date=2020-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113055456/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-securities-exclusive-idUSKBN27S2X3 |archive-date=2020-11-13}}</ref> In consequence of the order, the [[New York Stock Exchange]] delisted China Unicom in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mozur |first=Paul |date=2021-01-01 |title=New York to Delist Chinese Telecom Firms in Symbolic Shift |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/business/nyse-delist-china-mobile.html |url-status=live |access-date=2021-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101075008/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/business/nyse-delist-china-mobile.html |archive-date=2021-01-01 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In March 2021, the FCC initiated proceedings to revoke China Unicom's authorization to operate in the U.S. due to "national security" concerns.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=2021-03-17 |title=FCC moves against two Chinese telecoms firms operating in U.S. |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-telecom-idUSKBN2B92FE |access-date=2021-03-17 |archive-date=2021-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317180710/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-telecom-idUSKBN2B92FE |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2022, the FCC revoked China Unicom's authorization to operate in the United States, giving it 60 days to cease providing telecommunications services.<ref>{{cite news |date=2022-01-28 |title=US bans telecom giant China Unicom over spying concerns |language=en-GB |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60164747 |access-date=2022-01-28 |archive-date=2023-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207183127/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60164747 |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2022, the FCC added China Unicom to a list of companies considered "national security threats".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=2022-09-20 |title=U.S. agency adds China Unicom, Pacific Networks to national security threat list |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-agency-names-chinese-telecom-firms-national-security-threat-list-2022-09-20/ |access-date=2022-09-21 |archive-date=2023-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108050348/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/us-agency-names-chinese-telecom-firms-national-security-threat-list-2022-09-20/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2024, the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit|U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit]] rejected China Unicom's challenge of the 2022 FCC revocation of its authorization to operate in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vilensky |first=Mike |date=December 24, 2024 |title=China Unicom's Ejection From US Market by FCC Upheld on Appeal |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/china-unicoms-ejection-from-us-market-by-fcc-upheld-on-appeal |access-date=December 26, 2024 |work=[[Bloomberg Law]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gennaro |first=Michael |date=December 24, 2024 |title=Ninth Circuit upholds FCC revocation of Chinese telecommunications company's US operating certificates |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/ninth-circuit-upholds-fcc-revocation-of-chinese-telecommunications-companys-us-operating-certificates/ |access-date=2024-12-28 |website=[[Courthouse News Service]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2025, the FCC opened an investigation into China Unicom and other Chinese companies regarding operations in the U.S. in violation of restrictions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=March 21, 2025 |title=FCC probing if Chinese tech, telecom firms seeking to evade US restrictions |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/fcc-probing-if-chinese-tech-telecom-firms-seeking-evade-us-restrictions-2025-03-21/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> Also in March 2025, the [[United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party]] initiated an inquiry into China Unicom and issued subpoenas for company records in April 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alper |first=Alexandra |date=March 7, 2025 |editor-last=Choy |editor-first=Marguerita |title=US lawmakers press Chinese telecoms over ties to military, government |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-lawmakers-press-chinese-telecoms-over-ties-military-government-2025-03-07/ |access-date=March 8, 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Martina |first=Michael |date=April 23, 2025 |title=US lawmakers subpoena China telecom giants over security concerns |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/us-lawmakers-subpoena-china-telecom-giants-over-security-concerns-2025-04-23/ |access-date=April 25, 2025 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

=== Response to invasion of Ukraine ===
Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, China United Network Communications Group continued its operations in Russia through its subsidiary, China Unicom (Russia) Operations Limited Liability Company, maintaining business as usual despite international sanctions and widespread corporate withdrawals.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Over 400 companies have withdrawn from Russia - but some remain |url=https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/82/224466.html |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Bizcommunity |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Over 1,000 Companies Have Curtailed Operations in Russia—But Some Remain {{!}} Yale School of Management |url=https://som.yale.edu/story/2022/over-1000-companies-have-curtailed-operations-russia-some-remain |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=som.yale.edu |language=en}}</ref> Research from the Yale School of Management placed the company in the "Grade F" category of "Digging In," indicating that it has defied demands for exit or reduction of activities in Russia.<ref name=":02" />

==Equity investments==
{{Section update|date=August 2022}}{{updated|31 December 2016}}
* [[PCCW]] (18.46%, held by unlisted portion of China Unicom Group)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2017/0214/LTN20170214299.pdf|title=2016 Annual Report|date=14 February 2017|access-date=25 August 2017|publisher=PCCW|archive-date=25 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825191450/http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/SEHK/2017/0214/LTN20170214299.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Telefónica]] (1.27%, held by Hong Kong listed subsidiary "China Unicom (H.K.)")<ref name=Telefonica2016AR/>

{{Updated|As of 30 August 2025}}

China Unicom's most recent equity investments have shifted focus from traditional telecom infrastructure toward digital, cloud, and international growth.<ref name=":2">[https://dcfmodeling.com/blogs/investors/0762hk-investor-profile Exploring China Unicom (0762HK): Who’s Buying and Why? – DCFmodeling.com]</ref>

* BlackRock: increased stake in China Unicom by 1% in Q1 2023 (now about 5%).<ref name=":2" />
* Vanguard: slightly reduced holdings by 0.5%.<ref name=":2" />
* Capital Group: maintained a stable position at 4.15%.<ref name=":2" />

{| class="wikitable"
|+Recent Equity & Strategic Investments
!Year
!Investment Type
!Details
|-
|2023-2025
|Digital/Cloud/AI
|Massive reinvestment in CDSA business, cloud, AI, IoT, 5G<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 ANNUAL RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT AND CLOSURE OF REGISTER OF MEMBERS |url=https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/chinaunicom/annual/2024/res.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 December 2025 |title=China Unicom: Investment May Remain Relatively Stable in Next 2-3 Yrs as Network Evolves Towards 'AI Ecosystem' |url=https://www.aastocks.com/en/stocks/news/aafn-con/NOW.1460510/industry-news/hk6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=China Unicom noted that its net profit for the first half of the year rose 5% year-on-year to CNY14.5 billion |url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20250813/5g/china-unicom}}</ref>
|-
|2023
|Shareholder updates
|BlackRock up to 5%, Vanguard slightly down, Capital Group stable
|-
|2024
|International branches
|New offices in Saudi Arabia, Peru, UAE, Uzbekistan under UniCom brand
|-
|2024
|Fixed Asset Investment
|Reduction to ~RMB 55 billion, focus on digital, less on new equity stakes
|}

== Surveillance allegations ==
In December 2020, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that a security researcher identified evidence of surveillance campaign against Americans by China Unicom via Caribbean mobile networks, [[Cable & Wireless Communications]] and [[BTC (The Bahamas)|BTC]]. China Unicom denied the allegations.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kirchgaessner|first=Stephanie|date=2020-12-15|title=China suspected of spying on Americans via Caribbean phone networks|language=en-GB|work=[[The Guardian]]|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/15/revealed-china-suspected-of-spying-on-americans-via-caribbean-phone-networks|url-status=live|access-date=2020-12-16|issn=0261-3077|archive-date=2020-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215233406/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/15/revealed-china-suspected-of-spying-on-americans-via-caribbean-phone-networks}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Communications in China]]
* [[Telecommunications industry in China]]
* [[List of mobile network operators]]
* [[List of telephone operating companies]]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Finance links
| symbol = 762
| google = HKG:+0762
| yahoo = 0762.HK
| bloomberg = 762:HK
| reuters = 0762.HK
}}
{{Commons category|China Unicom}}
* {{Official website}}

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