(Yicai Global) Dec. 24 -- China has achieved the goal of extending its fifth-generation wireless network coverage to all prefecture-level cities this year, according to ministry officials.

The country has added about 580,000 5G base stations in 2020, officials at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said today. China has over 300 prefecture-level cities.

The number of 5G users has exceeded 200 million. From January to November, China shipped 144 million 5G phones, making up more than 50 percent of the total number of handset shipments, said Wen Ku. Domestic phonemakers launched almost 200 new 5G models, or almost 48 percent of all new smartphone releases.

Phone buyers should find more ways to use 5G. China's nationwide 5G application competition received more than 4,000 entries this year, showing the surprising developments in intelligent manufacturing, medical care, and energy, said Wen. In the first such race in 2018, a bit more than 300 cases were introduced.

Cooperation in all aspects is needed to promote the advancement of 5G and the real economy, involving sectors such as manufacturing, energy, transportation, and agriculture, according to Wen. Moreover, the country should strive to study 6G networks for sustainable development, he added.

Editor: Emmi Laine