China's first 3D television channel will air on a trial basis on Jan. 1, 2012 and go into official operation during the upcoming Lunar New Year Festival in late January, according to government authorities.

"We have officially started preparations for the country's first experimental 3D TV channel and have issued two technical guidelines on the production and airing of 3D television programs and 3D television signal transmission," Cai Fuchao, head of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, said on Wednesday.

According to Cai, the channel will be launched through the joint efforts of six TV stations, including China Central Television.