China Telecom promotes new cellphone service in Yichang, Hubei. Liu Junfeng / for China Daily

"Only if we keep stretching our capabilities and accumulating resources can we truly cooperate and compete with world-class telecom carriers on a level playing field," said Deng.

China Telecom first tested the waters of the global market in 2002, when it set up a subsidiary in the US.

The company integrated its businesses in the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas and Europe by forming China Telecom Global Ltd two years ago.

China Telecom has seen its overseas business develop rapidly. The company now owns the world's largest optical fiber network consisting of more than 30 underwater and land-based cables.

It has established more than 40 network points of presence in 28 countries to achieve a seamless global connection.

Compared with some leading global telecom carriers, such as BT Group Plc and Orange, Deng admitted that China Telecom still lags in terms of resources, global operating experience and service quality.

"But we are catching up", he said.

Wang Xiaochu, China Telecom's chairman, said in an earlier interview with China Daily that China Telecom will also aggressively pursue overseas mergers and acquisitions.

"It's definite that China Telecom will conduct M&As globally, and we're grooming our talent to be better-prepared," Wang said.

Huang Yufan contributed to this story.

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