The 5G era is about to take effect in China. Faster download speeds, fewer delays; many are counting the days until its commercial launch next year. Chinese mobile operators are now in the testing stage for 5G. Our reporter Wang Mengzhen brings us a sneak peak of what to expect.

5G is right around the corner for China. It's joyous news, especially for insiders working in the country's telecom industry; NPC deputy Liu Guanghe is one who has witnessed tremendous changes over the years.

LIU GUANGHE NPC DEPUTY "I started my professional career in 1992. Back then, our network equipment was mostly imported. But domestic companies, both network operators and equipment vendors, gradually caught up and have taken the lead in many areas. Now China is at the critical stage of 5G research and development, with more support needed."

Compared to its predecessors, the fifth-generation wireless technology has three distinctive features: its ultra-speed, estimated at 20 times faster than 4G, far fewer delays and its capacity for larger network connections, meaning it can be applied more widely, not just on your smart phone.

WANG MENGZHEN BEIJING "This is Cloud-robot Xiao Chuang. Basically, 5G technology is at work in its data transmission between the cloud and the robot."

As 5G aims to make our world smarter, researchers at China Mobile show how it could help power the Internet of Things.

XIAO SHANPENG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEPT OF TERMINAL TECH & WIRELESS, CHINA MOBILE RESEARCH INSTITUTE "Behind me is the 5G remote driving system. We can control the vehicle indoors and manually intervene in situations such as severe environmental and extreme weather conditions. It can also be applied in scenarios like smart manufacturing and artificial intelligence."

And as the world's largest mobile operator by subscribers, China Mobile has been a main contributor in formulating the global 5G standards.

XIAO SHANPENG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR DEPT OF TERMINAL TECH & WIRELESS, CHINA MOBILE RESEARCH INSTITUTE "One motivation for global players is to have more say in technology patents, China Mobile is no exception. With over 1000 related patents, China Mobile has played a key role in setting global 5G standards approved by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project. This involves both collaboration and competition. But our common goal is to lower the cost and enlarge the industry scale for 5G."

As the world is testing 5G, Chinese network operators are also establishing multiple base stations in almost 20 major cities nationwide. Experts say it will still take a few years for society to fully adapt to 5G technology after its commercial launch in 2020. So now it's just a matter of time before China will enjoy all that 5G offers. WANG MENGZHEN, CGTN, BEIJING.