BEIJING -- China's Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang on Sept 28 called for intensified efforts in promoting the "three networks integration" program and pushing forward the development of the new generation of the information technology (IT) industry.

China's Vice-Premier Zhang Dejiang (2nd R) visits the PT/Expo Comm China 2011, an international exposition of telecommunication equipment and Technology, in Beijing, China, Sept 28, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

Zhang made the remarks during his visit to the PT/Expo Comm China 2011, which runs from Sept 26 to Sept 30.

The IT industry is one of the country's strategic emerging industries. The government will increase support for the sector, and communications companies should enhance their abilities to self-innovate and strive to make new breakthroughs in key technologies, Zhang said.

The government will continue to push forward the development of TD-SCDMA and TD-LTE technologies as well as promote research in, and the application of the Internet of Things and cloud computing, he said.

Zhang also called for expanding the "three networks integration" pilot program. The program aims to make TV, telecommunications and Internet systems compatible, allowing users to watch TV, make telephone calls and surf the Internet through one cable or wireless device.

The expo, which is hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, is one of the world's biggest communications expos.