(ECNS) -- China has started researching the next-generation mobile communication, 6G, around the end of last year and early this year, said Miao Wei, minister of Industry and Information Technology, on the sideline of the annual two sessions on Friday.[Special coverage]

The connection among people and things, or the 'Internet of Things', needs to be addressed as the application of mobile communication expands, the minister said.

Driverless vehicles, for example, needs not only information from sensors, but also information linkage between vehicle and vehicle, vehicle and road, in which high-quality internet service is very necessary, Miao said.

5G technology is playing a key role in the service, it was added.

China has been also striving to accelerate 5G research.

China Mobile Communications Corp will start outdoor field tests in Hangzhou, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Suzhou and Wuhan this year, said Shang Bing, chairman of China Mobile, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month.