The Chinese government plans to connect the telecommunications network, TV and radio network and the Internet in the near future, said a statement issued by the State Council on Wednesday.

Connecting the three networks would boost the development of the information and cultural sectors, said the statement issued after a State Council executive meeting chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

China now had the basic technology, network infrastructure and market space to merge the three networks, the statement said.

Pilot projects should be carried out to connect telecommunications, TV and radio networks from 2010 to 2012. Based on the pilot projects, other projects should be established to connect the three networks comprehensively from 2013 to 2015, it said.