Three digital television channels started trial operations Monday in Beijing.

The trial was a prelude to the digital broadcasts nationwide, said Zhang Haitao, deputy director of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television.

China has outlined a long-term blueprint for the development of digital television. By 2005, it should have more than 30 million subscribers and would hold a dominant position by 2010. Analog television, which currently predominates, will be stopped in 2015,according to official sources.

The channels featuring soap operas, shopping guides and music will run for about three months and more channels will become available later.

Viewers would only have to buy a special receiver to get digital signals, said Ma Chaojun, an official of the Beijing Bureau of Radio, Film and Television.

With the digital technology, viewers can have access to many more programs, high-quality visual and audio effects as well as personalized and interactive services on TV.

(Xinhua News Agency September 2, 2003)