The Science and Technology Division of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television has held a work conference on the promotion of ground digital television broadcasting in the eight key cities including Beijing and Shanghai.

SARFT said that the holding of meeting symbolizes that the promotion of the national standard based ground digital television broadcasting service has been formally initiated in the country.

Zhang Haitao, deputy director of SARFT, pointed out that there must be a clear pattern and schedule for broadcasting ground high definition television programs during Beijing Olympic Games and the broadcasting task must be completed on time, for SARFT believes that it is an important chance for China to demonstrate its own standard and technology to the world during the Olympic Games.

According to SARFT's planning, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Qingdao and Qinhuangdao will begin launching ground digital television broadcasting services in March and other provincial capital cities in China.