In June 2019, China granted 5G licenses for commercial use, signaling a new era in the country's telecommunication industry. During the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) that year, 5G-related topics attracted great attention, and heated discussions about 5G were held among officials, industry leaders and operator sat the annual event.

It's been nearly two years now. Let's look at what China has achieved in 5G development.

China has built the largest 5G network in the world. In 2020, over 600,000 5G base stations were built in China, which brought the total number to more than 718,000.

By the end of 2020, China had achieved full 5G coverage in all cities above the prefecture level. This year, the country intends to build at least 600,000 more 5G base stations, which will greatly expand 5G coverage in counties and towns.

Official data shows that shipments of 5G phones reached 163 million units in China last year, accounting for 52. 9 percent of the country's total mobile phone shipments that year.

The broad coverage of China's 5G network is not limited to its width.

In April 2020, the world's highest 5G base station started to provide service to China's 6,500-meter-high base camp on Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak. Thanks to the high-speed network, live 4K or VR broadcasts of Mt. Qomolangma's stunning scenery were streamed to millions of viewers via the 5G signals.

The signals can also reach deep underground. A 5G intelligent coal mine was built in North China's coal-rich Shanxi province. At a depth of 534 meters, the network is the deepest in the country. It could make borehole operations safer and more efficient.

Last year, China saw a wider variety of 5G applications. More than 1,100 5G+ industrial internet projects were launched, including 5G-based remote consultation, which was used in more than 60 hospitals in 19 provinces. New products and services that require 5G are emerging, such as 5G+ autonomous driving, 5G+ smart grid and 5G+ online education.

A white paper released by the China Center for Information Industry Development predicts that by 2030, the number of 5G base stations in China will reach 15 million.

This year's BFA is scheduled from April 18 to 21, with 5G topics listed on the agenda. Focusing on "The Future of 5G," the potential and challenges of 5G applications will be discussed.