On 7 January, China United Network Communications Corporation Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was granted approval to operate 3G digital cell business with WCDMA technology nationwide in China.

On 6 September, the Company and Telefónica entered into a broad strategic alliance and a mutual investment agreement.

On 1 October, the Company completely the disposal of its CDMA Business to China Telecom.

On 15 October, the merger of China Unicom with China Netcom became effective and the Company changed its company name to "China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited" ("China Unicom").

On 16 December, the Company announced its proposed acquisitions of certain assets and business related to its core business from Unicom Group and Netcom Group and the lease of telecommunications networks across 21 provinces in Southern China from Unicom Group.

On 31 December, the Company successfully acquired its cellular businesses and GSM network assets in Guizhou Province from the parent company and completed the overall listing of the relevant operations in the PRC.

On 5 July, the Company successfully issued an aggregate principal amount of US$1 billion convertible bond to SK Telecom Co. Ltd. of Korea and both parties entered into a strategic alliance framework agreement.

On 20 June, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the listing, Mr Chang Xiaobing, Chairman and
CEO, rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

On 19 July, our parent company Unicom Group celebrated its tenth anniversary. The Company's mobile subscribers exceeded 100 million.

On 20 July, A Share Company successfully raised RMB4.5 billion.

On 31 December, the Company completed the acquisition of GSM mobile communication services in nine provinces and Autonomous Regions including Shanxi; and also completed the sale of the entire interests in Guoxin Paging to Unicom Group.

On 9 October, China United Telecommunications Corporation Limited ("A Share Company") successfully launched a public listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, raising RMB11.5 billion. The company became the first telecom services operator in China to get listed in Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai.

On 31 December, the Company completed the acquisition of GSM mobile communication services in nine provinces, municipality and Autonomous Regions including Jilin.

On 1 June, the Company was included as a constituent stock of Hang Seng Index.

On 8 February, the Company was incorporated in Hong Kong.

On 21 & 22 June, the Company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and the IPO raised US$5.653 billion.