BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- China will launch high-definition terrestrial digital TV broadcasts in 2008, according to a national five-year (2006-2010) guideline on cultural development which was publicized on Wednesday.

    China also aims to replace the existing analog cable television with digital cable television in all the cities in its eastern and central regions and most of those in the western area by 2010, the guideline says.

    China will adopt a terrestrial digital TV broadcast standard, the mandatory broadcast signal for Chinese broadcasters on August 1, 2007.

    Terrestrial digital TV transmissions can deliver signals to fixed TV sets and mobile televisions such as the ones on buses. They are designed to replace the existing analog system through which the majority of viewers in China watch the TV networks.

    Digital TV broadcasting can be conducted by satellite, cable and terrestrial television, which increases the efficiency of operators and provides better quality pictures for viewers.

    Statistics from the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television show that the number of households with digital broadcasting facilities rose from one million in 2004 to 4.13 million in 2005.

    The guideline also underscores the importance of accelerated development and application of new and high technology, especially digital technology and web technology over the next five years. Enditem