BEIJING - The State Council, China's cabinet, said on Wednesday that the country will step up efforts to promote informatization development and strengthen information security.

Speeding up the construction of informatization and building a sound information security system is of significant importance to economic restructuring and national security, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Wen Jiabao.

According to a document approved by the meeting, the government will work to upgrade the broadband network, speed up development of next generation Internet, and promote the integration of telecom, Internet and television networks.

Efforts will be made to raise the informatization level in enterprises, social sectors, especially in e-government building, as well as rural areas, the document said.

To promote security defense capabilities, the government will work to combine designs, construction and operation of important information systems and networks with those of security protection facilities, it said.

In addition, the government will improve infrastructure for network and information security, strengthen monitoring and early warning, and increase inputs in technological research and development, it added.