China Unicom, the second-largest mobile operator in the country, said it’s talking with other carriers on cooperation in building a 5G network.

Wang Xiaochu, chairman and chief executive of China Unicom, said Wednesday in Hong Kong that the company is talking with China Mobile and China Telecom on possible cooperation because the 5G network requires huge investment and the Chinese government encourages carriers to share resources.

“China Unicom will definitely work with one or more companies,” Wang said when discussing the company’s first-half results.

In addition to the three biggest carriers, China’s state-owned broadcaster China Broadcast Network Corp. also obtained a 5G commercial license in June to be the country's fourth telecom operator.

Wang told Caixin that China Broadcast Network’s best partner should be China Unicom, because the broadcaster’s cable business competes with China Mobile and China Telecom.

Wang said China Unicom has been in contact with China Broadcast Network for possible cooperation, but he thinks the new player won’t change the current domination by the three carriers.