Speech by Zhao Shi, Vice Minister of State Administration of Radio, Film and Television

September 14, 2006

Dear friends from the press,

Good morning!

The Central Committee of the Party and the State Council attach great importance to the development of radio, film and TV and have, in the program, emphasized the significance of the radio, film and television undertakings, made overall plan on the goal, objective, key tasks and key projects for the development of radio, film and television. Key policies and guarantee measures are made clear. There is no mistaking what the program is aimed at and it is very easy to follow. The program is extremely important and far-reaching in giving impetus to the healthy development and sustained prosperity of radio, film and television in our country.

The main thinking in the program with regards to the development of radio, film and television is to take the guarantee of the basic cultural right of the people to listen to radio, watch TV and see film, and the satisfying of the multi-tier and variable spiritual and cultural needs of the people as the starting point and emphasis of the development of radio, film and television. An outstanding feature of the program is the coordination of the development of the undertaking and the industry.On one hand, develop public welfare in radio, film and television, and improve the quality of our service to the public. On the other hand, develop the industry side, expand the area of service and improve the quality of our service.

The program has designated a lot of tasks concerning radio, film and television. These tasks cover large areas and are quite tough to complete. I would like to mention the following three points:

One, the three major projects targeting rural areas. To solve the problem of the access to radio, television and film for the public in rural areas. The first project is the cun-cun-tong project, namely bringing access to radio and television for every village, with a goal of bringing 8 channels of television and 4 channels of radio to all villages of more than 20 households that have already obtained power of electricity. The second project is the western project, which aims to improve the radio and television infrastructure and basic condition and improve coverage in the western area and border areas with ethnic minority people. The third project is the projection of films in rural areas, with a goal of projecting one film in every village every month by the year 2010.

Two, to bring prosperity to the creation and production of radio, film and television. To carry out the project of creating fine works in radio, film and television, to strengthen the building of brands in radio and television channels and specific programs, improve the quality and service level, and try to increase the percentage of good quality works to over 20 percent. In particular, more support should be given to contemporary stories, village stories, children stories, ethnic minority stories and cartoons. We should try to get close to the people, to life and to reality, and to provide rich and colorful radio, film and television spiritual food for our people.

Three, to speed up scientific and technological innovation and to implement the digital project in radio, film and television. The emphasis of digitization is on the production and broadcast in radio and television stations, on cable TV, on terrestrial radio and television and the production, distribution, projection and archiving of films. In the mean time, major efforts should be devoted to the development of new technology and new media in radio, film and television.

In order to carry out the program, the state administration of radio, film and television is going to take four specific measures: one is to guarantee serious study of the program. Secondly we should follow closely the real situation in radio, film and television, and speed up the formulation of ‘suggestions on implementation’, and put forward specific work plan and provisions for guarantee. Thirdly we should take vigorous measures to fulfill tasks, and distribute tasks and responsibilities down to every level of our systems and to all concerned units. We should also make sure that those distributed tasks are implemented. Fourthly we must strengthen supervision and examination, to ensure complete fulfillment of all tasks in radio, film and television.

Thank you!